Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 'invited to play in 2024 Copa Libertadores... as CONMEBOL looks to expand tournament

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami have been extended an invitation to compete in the next Copa Libertadores, the premier tournament in South American club football.

According to journalist Hugo Balassone, the invite was given by Chiqui Tapia, who is the president of the Argentine Football Association, at the request of CONMEBOL, who are the governing body of football in South America.

The annual competition first began in 1960 and contains 47 teams from 10 different football associations and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami looks set to be the latest edition to the prestigious tournament.

Inter Miami fans may not believe their luck following the signing of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who's led the team to a Leagues Cup final appearance where they'll take on Nashville SC on Sunday (August 20).

A comprehensive 4-1 victory against Philadelphia Union on Wednesday (August 16) where Messi scored in his sixth straight game, taking his tally to nine goals in six games for Miami, secured their spot in the final.

The 36-year-old will now have the opportunity to hoist a trophy as Inter Miami captain for the first time which would also result in the club's first ever piece of silverware.

The club have the opportunity to claim their first-ever piece of silverware in the Leagues Cup final (Image: Getty Images)

If anything can top yet another honour added to Messi's trophy cabinet, it'll be having the opportunity to compete in the Copa Libertadores, a competition he grew up watching in Argentina.

Upon the release of the news, fans had their say and its fair to say opinions were split about Inter Miami's invitation with one X user seeing the positive side of it as they wrote: "The invitation from CONMEBOL, backed by the Argentine Football Association, adds a thrilling international dimension to their journey".

Another noted that the invitation is not a rare occurrence while it can bring more eyes to the competition with arguably the greatest player of all time competing in it.

They commented: "Copa Libertadores has a history of inviting other teams. They’ve invited Liga MX teams multiple times in the past. Finally a MLS is good enough & popular enough to warrant it."

However, a third user was staunchly against the presence of an MLS side in the competition as they wrote: "If the Saudi teams shouldn’t be in the UCL, an MLS team shouldn’t be in the Copa Libertadores!"