Lionel’s Messi’ son,Thiago of Inter Miami, plays in a soccer match against Penarol through the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.(AP Photo/Farid Dumat Kelzi)
BUENOS AIRES — Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, has made his debut within the “Newell’s Cup” tournament within the countryside city of Rosario.
The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the standard under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday.
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Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer within the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires.
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Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and a number of other members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were within the stands to look at him play. Lionel Messi didn’t attend.
Thiago, who was substituted within the second half, played together with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi’s teammate and shut friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami.
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Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination within the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami’s U13 team against Unión at the identical sports complex.
The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America.
