Thiago Messi added another championship to his growing youth soccer résumé after helping Inter Miami’s Under-14 team capture the 2026 MIC Football Punta Cana title. While his father, Lionel Messi, was representing Argentina against Jordan in Dallas, Thiago was hundreds of miles away in the Dominican Republic, celebrating another major academy success.
The second edition of the MIC Football Punta Cana tournament was held from June 24 through June 29 at Cap Cana Sports City in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The international youth competition brought together 103 teams, more than 2,000 players, and featured over 250 matches across 13 fields. Clubs from 20 countries competed in boys’ and girls’ divisions ranging from the Under-12 through Under-16 age groups.
Inter Miami capped off an outstanding tournament by defeating fellow American club GOT FC 3-0 in the Under-14 championship match. Goals from Roger Llaurado, Yohanne Calixte, and Elías Eleazar secured the title after another dominant performance, as informed by Infobae. The victory completed a perfect tournament for the Florida club, which had already defeated GOT FC during the group stage.
A Nearly Perfect Tournament Run
Inter Miami topped Group D after winning all three group-stage matches against GOT FC, Elite Football Academy, and Guayama FC. The academy side scored an impressive 18 goals while allowing only one throughout the opening round.
The team’s momentum continued into the knockout stage. Inter Miami defeated Barca Academy in the Round of 16 before eliminating Venados Yucatán in the quarterfinals and Cibao FC in the semifinals to book its place in the championship match.
The title represented a significant improvement from last year’s performance. Competing in the Under-13 division in 2025, Thiago’s team was eliminated in the quarterfinals after suffering a 4-0 defeat against River Plate, according to the publication.
Another Trophy for Thiago Messi
The Punta Cana championship continues an impressive run for Thiago since joining Inter Miami’s academy.
His list of youth titles now includes Weston Cup Under-12 champion in 2024, Weston Cup Under-13 champion in 2025, Dreams Cup champion in late 2025, Dreams Cup champion again in May 2026, and MIC Football Punta Cana Under-14 champion in 2026.
© Getty ImagesEarlier this year, Lionel Messi attended the Dreams Cup final to watch Thiago celebrate another championship alongside Luis Suárez, whose son Benjamín also plays in the Inter Miami academy.
© dpa/picture alliance via Getty IBeginning at age 13, Inter Miami’s academy teams compete in MLS NEXT, the top youth development league in the United States and Canada. Earlier this season, Thiago’s team reached the MLS NEXT Finals in Salt Lake City before finishing as runner-up following a 3-2 loss to Orlando City SC.
Thiago, who will celebrate his 14th birthday on November 2, continues to develop within one of Major League Soccer’s fastest-growing academies as he builds his own path in the sport.
© Getty ImagesUnlike previous academy finals, neither Lionel Messi nor Antonela Roccuzzo attended the championship in Punta Cana.
Messi remained with the Argentina national team for its international match against Jordan in Dallas.
In 2024, Thiago shared details of his career as an athlete. “Playing makes me more nervous than watching my father play,” he told journalist José Ramón de la Morena. “I’m not good with my left foot,” he reflected.
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