Former Argentina international Sergio Agüero says that organizing his street football tournament, the Copa Potrero, has proven more demanding than playing at the highest level of professional football.
The tournament focuses on the spirit of neighborhood football, emphasizing community and providing a second opportunity for young talent to be seen on television. Agüero noted that while his professional career in the Premier League required him to focus solely on his performance on the pitch, managing this tournament demands attention to every operational detail.
Forty Teams Compete in Seven a Side Format
The third edition of the Copa Potrero is scheduled to take place from November 14 to November 23 at the Ciudad Universitaria in Buenos Aires. The competition features 40 teams, with rosters ranging from 14 to 20 players. The teams are divided into eight groups of five, with the winner of each group advancing directly to the Round of 16. Second and third-placed teams will compete in a playoff round to secure the remaining spots in the knockout stage, which will follow a single-elimination format.
Matches are played in a seven-a-side format with two 20-minute halves and a five-minute halftime break. For the semifinals and the final, the match duration increases to two 25-minute halves. The tournament offers a total prize pool, with the winning team set to receive $210,000. The runner-up will earn $50,000, while the third and fourth-place teams will receive $25,000 each. Teams finishing between fifth and eighth place will be awarded $10,000 each.
¿MESSI EN LA COPA POTRERO? 👀🏆 ▶ Olé habló con el Kun Agüero en el sorteo de la 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 y mencionó la chance de contar con el 10 en caso que GOAT, el equipo de Tomás Messi, avance en el torneo 🎙 @candeciocan pic.twitter.com/4BJhsPHvfS
Involvement of Former Professionals
The tournament is not limited to amateurs; it also serves as a stage for retired professionals who wish to remain competitively active. The roster of participants includes several notable names, such as Mauro Zárate, Gonzalo Bergessio, Leonel Vangioni, Mariano Pavone, and Ever Banega.
Prospects for Lionel Messi’s Participation
When asked about the possibility of Lionel Messi appearing in the tournament, Agüero remained optimistic but realistic given the Inter Miami captain’s current contractual obligations. The connection to the Messi family is already present, as Lionel’s nephew, Tomás, is competing in the event for the GOAT team. Agüero stated that if the team continues to advance in the tournament, the invitation for Messi to appear remains open, though he acknowledged that fans should currently focus on enjoying the forward’s performances in Major League Soccer.
Expansion into Youth Football
Agüero is also looking to expand the tournament’s reach by introducing the inaugural Copa Potrerito. This U13 competition is scheduled for November 22 and 23, also at the Ciudad Universitaria. Eight youth clubs are set to participate, including Club Parque, Kimberley, Social Deportivo Liniers, and Jorge Newbery. The expansion reflects Agüero’s broader goal of keeping the street football culture active for younger generations.
Future Venue Planning
While the current venue at the Ciudad Universitaria can accommodate approximately 6,000 spectators, Agüero has considered the possibility of moving the final to a larger stadium in the future. However, for the current stage of the tournament’s development, the organizers prefer to keep all matches at a single, centralized location to ensure operational efficiency. The third edition of the event will be broadcast across ESPN and Disney+ platforms.
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