COPA INTERAMERICANA
Messi’s Inter Miami to face Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense in 2024 Copa Interamericana
The competition has been revived 26 years after its last edition, with CONMEBOL and CONCACAF champions facing off in a “final four” style tournament.
The Copa Interamericana returns for the first time in 26 years in 2024, with Inter Miami and Lionel Messi set to add plenty of stardust to the revived tournament. The four winners of the main CONCACAF (Champions League, Leagues Cup) and CONMEBOL (Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana) competitions will go head-to-head in a “final four” style event, with The Herons, managed by former Mexico boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino, drawn to face recently-crowned Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense in the semi-finals.
CONCACAF Champions League winners León of Liga MX will face Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito, who lifted the Copa Sudamericana, the other last-four clash.
No date or venue confirmed for 2024 Copa Interamericana
Although no dates have been confirmed for the tournament, anticipation is already building. Inter Miami are expected to be strengthened by yet another ex-Barcelona “galactico” in the shape of Luis Suárez, who tasted victory over Fluminense this season with Grêmio. The venue hasn’t been announced either, although we should find out before the start of the year.
Brazil interim coach Fernando Diniz enjoys club success
Despite currently being eighth in Brazil’s Serie A, Fernando Diniz’s team have become South American champions thanks to their modern version of “Jogo Bonito,” a term popularised by Pelé. In the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores, the Rio-based club edged a thrilling tie against compatriots Internacional, who they dominated in open play but struggled against somewhat on the counterattack.
35-year-old Germán Cano, who had spells with Pachuca and Léon in Liga MX, established himself as one of South America’s top strikers, scoring 13 times in 12 appearances in the competition, including the opening goal in the final, in which Flu defeated Boca Juniors after extra time.
Messi and Miami could face different Fluminense
However, their success hasn’t gone unnoticed, which means they could lose key players in the winter transfer window. The likes of André, Nino and Jhon Arias have attracted attention, with Liverpool, West Ham and Fulham reportedly interested in the first of the trio, who has already been capped twice for Brazil.
Another Premier League club, Nottingham Forest, is thought to be close to signing of centre-back Nino, who captains the team. The team that faces Messi, Suárez and Co may look rather different to the one that triumphed at Maracanã on Saturday, but Diniz, who doubles up as Brazil’s interim coach, has already proved he has what it takes to upset the odds. Why not do it again?