The possibility of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX teams playing in the Copa Libertadores has once again taken center stage in the international soccer debate, following recent statements by Jorge Mas, owner of Inter Miami, who confirmed that he has already held talks with CONMEBOL to explore this option.
In an interview with the Argentine newspaper Olé, the executive revealed that the dialog included the president of the South American confederation, Alejandro Domínguez, which reignited a discussion that had seemed closed since 2016, when Mexican clubs stopped participating in the tournament.
Inter Miami and the proposal to play in the Copa Libertadores
Jorge Mas did not hide his stance in favor of continental integration and assured that his interest in competing in the Copa Libertadores is not new.
“I would like to play in the Copa Libertadores; I’ve said it and I’ll say it publicly, even within the league”, said the owner of Inter Miami.
The businessman went further and proposed a scenario that could reshape club soccer in the Americas: granting a direct berth to the MLS and Liga MX champions in the South American tournament.
“I think the MLS and Liga MX champions might deserve a spot”, he said.
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A debate between Concacaf and Conmebol
The possible participation of Mexican and U.S. teams in the Copa Libertadores does not depend solely on the clubs. Mas himself acknowledged that it is an institutional issue involving Concacaf and Conmebol, as well as political, economic, and scheduling agreements.
“I know these are issues between Concacaf and Conmebol, but if we can continue to grow soccer hemispherically, with the participation of North American and Mexican clubs, the competition would be better”, he explained.
The proposal seeks to raise the competitive level, expand markets, and strengthen the integration of soccer across the American continent.
Why did the Liga MX clubs leave the Copa Libertadores?
Liga MX participated in the Copa Libertadores for more than two decades, with outstanding performances and even memorable finals. However, Mexico’s participation ended in 2016, mainly due to scheduling conflicts, commercial commitments, and the lack of agreements between federations.
That precedent reinforces the idea that the return of clubs from Mexico and the United States could be viable if new agreements are reached between confederations.
What would the Copa Libertadores gain with MLS and Liga MX?
The inclusion of MLS and Liga MX teams would bring:
- Greater international exposure
- New television markets
- Increase in commercial revenue
- Diversity of play styles
- The tournament’s biggest sporting draw
Additionally, clubs like Inter Miami, with high-profile players and global reach, could further boost the Copa Libertadores’ profile.
The possibility of MLS and Liga MX returning to or debuting in the Copa Libertadores reopens a debate that had seemed closed for almost a decade. Although the path is complex, Jorge Mas’s statements confirm that the issue is already on the table and could mark a new chapter in the history of continental soccer.
