Who will win the 2024 Leagues Cup? Messi, Inter Miami aim for title defense against MLS, Liga MX clubs

One year ago, Lionel Messi helped usher in the inaugural Leagues Cup in sensational fashion, carrying an Inter Miami side sitting dead last in the MLS Eastern Conference standings to a stunning first-ever trophy.

Just the presence of arguably the game's greatest-ever player made Inter Miami favorites to win the tournament despite their woeful league standing. It caused many (we won't name names) to scoff at the betting market, but Messi proved the numerous doubters wrong in a triumphant start to life in the United States.

As the second-ever Leagues Cup gets set to begin, the opposite is true. Not only does Messi remain on the roster, but the club sits top of the standings, entering the tournament leading the Supporters' Shield race, and doing so largely in the absence of their Argentine star. Yet somehow, the Herons are not favorites to win, beaten in the pre-match odds by Mexican giants Club America.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the 2024 Leagues Cup with the defending champions looking to keep hold of their crown, as the rest of MLS plus a host of Liga MX contenders hope to pry it from David Beckham's fingers.

Odds to win 2024 Leagues Cup title

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Incredibly, defending champions Inter Miami are not the favorites to win the 2024 Leagues Cup, as that honor falls to Liga MX side Club America. The Eagles feature many Mexican internationals on the roster, including Henry Martin, Erick Sanchez, and Luis Malagon, plus big-name star Jonathan dos Santos and in-form American forward Alejandro Zendejas.

An injury to Lionel Messi has likely dented Inter Miami's chances as well, plus a number of absences for players competing at the 2024 Summer Olympics. In fact, many clubs featured in this tournament have players plucked by international sides for the tournament in France. For example, struggling MLS club Atlanta United have seen playmaker Thiago Almada brought overseas, leaving them without their Argentine star.

Who will win the 2024 Leagues Cup title?

Top favorite: LAFC (+1000)

Quarterfinalists in last year's inaugural Leagues Cup before being bounced by Liga MX side Monterrey, LAFC will be up for the challenge in their second go. Sitting second in the Western Conference standings as the tournament arrives, LAFC have been amongst the best MLS clubs for a number of years.

If you're looking for narratives, LAFC sport one of the best — a year after Lionel Messi's arrival led Inter Miami to glory, it's possible that Olivier Giroud takes the torch from the Argentine great and arrives at LAFC just in time to win a trophy. He won't arrive until the start of August, but he could theoretically see time at this tournament as long as his new club isn't bounced early.

It's entirely possible that LAFC find themselves without a head coach in the middle of this tournament, as Steve Cherundolo is a strong candidate to take over the U.S. men's national team, but at this point that's far enough down the road to dismiss.

Best bet: LA Galaxy (+2000)

These are, quite simply, ridiculous odds for the current Western Conference leaders. It took them a bit to get the new signings going, but since late May, the LA Galaxy have been good enough to establish themselves as strong MLS title contenders.

Riqui Puig has found himself entrenched as an MLS star, and new offseason arrivals Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have injected much-needed electricity into the Galaxy attack. Relying on an attack to outscore opponents can be a dicey approach to knockout play, but the Galaxy have the talent to pull it off.

Stay away from: Inter Miami (+900), All Liga MX clubs

Second-favorites and defending champions Inter Miami have had a strong season, with or without Lionel Messi who's been an inconsistent presence due to injuries and national team duty. Tata Martino has done quite well to press on in Messi's absence after early struggles without their superstar.

Yet this team will be exceedingly thin at the Leagues Cup, in large part thanks to the Olympics, where a number of players will compete. All three Olympic participants are pulled from midfield, where trio Benjamin Cremaschi (USA), Federico Redondo (Argentina), and Diego Gomez (Paraguay) are currently overseas. Add in injuries to Messi and striker Luis Suarez, and this side is currently in bad shape.

There's also reason to keep away from the visiting sides. After an inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup which was heavily criticized by Mexican clubs, the tournament has attempted to accommodate Liga MX sides, but the competition is still heavily skewed towards MLS sides.

The Leagues Cup is hosted entirely in the United States, creating immense travel for visiting Liga MX clubs great and small. Some of the Mexican clubs have earned hosting rights, which cuts down their travel a bit, but it's just a band-aid to a larger issue as they will spend the bulk of the knockout stage stadium-hopping.

Club America could absolutely push deep into the competition, and so could Tigres, but winning the title would be a monumental challenge for clubs in a league which has only just begun its season.