Inter Miami’s ambitions are stretching far beyond Major League Soccer. The Florida club, home to Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, has made clear its desire to compete in South America’s most prestigious tournament, the Copa Libertadores.
Club owner Jorge Mas revealed that he has already spoken with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez about the possibility of opening the doors to champions from the United States and Mexico. For Mas, the idea is not just fantasy but a vision of football’s future on the continent.
“It’s a dream, and obviously I’ve already had conversations with Conmebol and with Alejandro, to see about our participation in the Libertadores. There are precedents, because in the past Mexican clubs have already competed in the Libertadores. I want to play in the Libertadores, I’ve already said that publicly,” Mas told Argentina’s Olé.
Mexican clubs were part of the competition between 1998 and 2016, though with restrictions. Even if they had won the title, they could not represent CONMEBOL at the Club World Cup. Cruz Azul, Chivas, and Tigres all reached the final but fell short. A calendar change in 2016 closed the door on Liga MX participation, and since then, the Libertadores has remained exclusive to South American sides.
Domínguez himself opposed the idea of MLS or Liga MX clubs joining back in 2019. Seven years later, Mas is reviving the debate, arguing that inclusion would strengthen the competition and expand its reach. “I believe that the MLS and Liga MX champions deserve a spot. I know these are issues between Concacaf and Conmebol, but if it’s somehow possible to continue growing football on the continent, with the participation of North American and Mexican clubs, I think the competition would be better,” he said.
Inter Miami’s timing is deliberate. The club is living a historic moment after winning its first MLS title in 2025. Messi has returned to training ahead of the new season, and the team is chasing back‑to‑back domestic glory while also aiming for its first continental crown. Last year, they reached the semi‑finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, proof that they are ready to test themselves against the best outside the United States.
The dream of Copa Libertadores football in Miami may still be distant, but Mas’s push has reignited a conversation that could reshape the future of the tournament. For Messi, Suárez, and Inter Miami, the idea of stepping into South America’s fiercest arenas is no longer just speculation. It is a goal, and one that could redefine the club’s legacy.
