That looks to be the road Thiago Messi, the son of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel, is following.
Wearing his father’s famous number 10 shirt, 12-year- Thiago turned out for Inter Miami’s under-13 squad in the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, on Monday.
Eight teams from North and South America will be competing over five days in the tenth edition of the youth competition.
Born in Rosario, where Newell’s Old Boys are situated, Father Lionel spent five years in the Argentine team’s academy before 13-year-old joined Barcelona’s renowned La Masia youth academy.
Having spent much of his career at Barcelona before transferring to Paris St-Germain and subsequently Inter Miami, the 37-year-old has accomplished amazing things in the sport – 13 league titles and Champions League on four occasions.
He also led Argentina to success in Copa America 2021 and 2024 and World Cup gold in 2022.
Though Messi Sr missed the Jorge B Griffa Sports Complex, a poster displaying him kissing the World Cup was watching over Thiago.
From the sidelines, Thiago’s mother Antonela Roccuzzo and grandparents Jorge and Celia Messi watched Inter Miami lose 1-0 to host team Newell’s Old Boys.
Along with Thiago Benjamin Suarez, the son of Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez, also showed up.
Tuesday Inter Miami is back in action against Uruguayan team Penarol 91.
