The quarter-finals 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup will begin in the first week of April, with eight teams, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, still in the hunt to lift the trophy. The winners will book their place at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face European heavyweight such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Messi and Suárez shine in Nashville Champions Cup win
Led by Messi and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez, who starred in the round-of-16 victory over Nashville, The Herons have broken into the top 10 of the CONCACAF Club Ranking for the first time in their history. Miami have moved up eight places to eighth, just ahead of Liga MX’s Toluca and fellow MLS team Philadelphia Union, and just behind Mexican side Chivas.
Súarez netted in the last minute of the first leg to earn a draw against Nashville at Geodis Park, before they made home advantage count in the second. The Uruguayan and Messi were both among the goals as Las Garzas made light work of The Coyotes in the return game.
The latest CONCACAF Club Rankings
- Monterrey – 1,265 points
- América – 1,255 points
- Tigres – 1,245 points
- Pachuca – 1,227 points
- León – 1,216 points
- Columbus Crew – 1,216 points
- Chivas – 1,207 points
- Inter Miami – 1,200 points
- Toluca – 1,199 points
- Philadelphia Union – 1,198 points
Who will Messi and Miami face in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup?
Since Inter Miami were founded in 2018, this is the first time the club has featured the top 10 of the CONCACAF Club Rankings. Ex-Barça quartet Suárez, Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have played fundamental roles in taking them there, just a matter of months after the the latter trio helped The Herons win their first ever trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team will now face top-ranked Rayados in the quarter-finals, with the first leg set for 3 April at Chase Stadium and the second to be played on 10 April at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey.
The former Mexico head coach will be desperate to have Messi fit for one of the biggest games of the season. The Argentina captain has been struggling with a hamstring issue, which will keep him out of his country’s friendly double header.
