Jamaica’s Cavalier SC will face the might of Lionel Messi and his star-studded Inter Miami CF in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup first-leg Round of 16 encounter at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA starting at 8:00 pm Jamaican time.

It is a clash between the reigning MLS Supporters Shield winners and the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.

Cavalier begins its campaign after earning a bye to the Round of 16 by winning the Caribbean Cup while Inter Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City  4-1 on aggregate.

This will be the fourth matchup between a Jamaican club and a US team with the MLS clubs winning all four times.

In 2004-05 DC United eliminated Harbour View FC 4-2 on aggregate and both teams met again in 2007/08 with DC running out easy 6-1 winners on aggregate. Last year, Cavalier lost 0-6 on aggregate to FC Cincinnati.

Rudolph Speid, the Sporting Director of Cavalier, said his very young team will not be star-struck and should hold their own against Messi and company.

“We are taking it a game at a time and the expectation is to go back home with a positive result,” said Speid. “Inter Miami is an extraordinary team, extraordinary players. But our team is also extraordinary. I believe it’s the youngest professional team in the world and young players tend to play with less fear and apprehension, and I think that’s our biggest strength.”

Cavalier, which sits in fourth spot in the Wray and Nephew Premier League, will be depending on National senior players Richard King, Jeovanni Laing to hold things firmly at the back and allow the likes of top scorer Jalmaro Calvin, Dwayne Campbell, Christopher Ainsworth and Dwayne Allen to try and steal the goals.

The powerful Inter Miami rested Messi over the weekend as they destroyed Houston Dynamo 4-1 and he is expected to play tonight as they hope to gain a sizeable first-leg advantage playing at home.

Inter Miami is not just all about Messi as there is also Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba who have won almost everything in football with Spain. The team has a very South American look with the likes of Luiz Suarez (Uruguay), Diego Gomez (Paraguay), Tadeo Allende and Tomas Aviles(Argentina).

With the second leg set for Kingston on March 13, local fans will hope that Cavalier put on a good display, be competitive, but more importantly, keep the scoreline close to ensure that Lionel Messi is forced to make the trip to Jamaica.

“We’re really looking forward to doing well. I think it could inspire a generation of players in Jamaica itself just because of what will happen,” Speid noted.

“Everybody will be watching on TV and in the return, we expect to have a packed stadium as everybody is just talking about the game. So, that inspiration is much more for the country than just our team. This is like a dream come true for us as a player, Jamaica as a country and for the Caribbean,” said Speid. “This is our opportunity to show our talents on a bigger stage because millions will be watching, of course. It’s a good thing. It’s a good opportunity.”