When your father is hailed as one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the field, you’re likely to follow in his footsteps, right?
Well, that seems to be the path Thiago Messi, son of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel, is taking.
Thiago, 12, participated on Monday with Inter Miami’s under-13 team in the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, wearing his father’s iconic number 10 jersey.
It is the 10th edition of the youth tournament, in which eight clubs from North and South America compete over five days.
Father Lionel was born in Rosario, where Newell’s Old Boys is based, and spent five years in the Argentine team’s academy before joining Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy when he was 13.
The 37-year-old, who spent most of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain and then Inter Miami, has achieved incredible things in the sport – winning 13 league titles and the Champions League in four. occasions.
He also captained Argentina to glory in the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América.
Although Messi Sr. was not present at the Jorge B Griffa Sports Complex, a banner showing him kissing the World Cup kept an eye on Thiago.
Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and grandparents Jorge and Celia Messi, watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to host club Newell’s Old Boys.
Benjamín Suárez, son of Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, also appeared alongside Thiago.
Inter Miami returns to action on Tuesday against Uruguayan club Peñarol 91.
