Most associated with Barcelona, Argentina star Messi will line up against boyhood club Newell’s for the first time at DRV PNK Stadium.
Diego GorostietaDiegsGorostietaRoddy ConsRoddyConsEstados UnidosUpdate: Feb 14th, 2024 14:45 EST0
ALBERT GEAREUTERS
Lionel Messi will never forget 15 February 2024, the date on which he will play for Inter Miami against Newell’s Old Boys, his boyhood club. The Argentine superstar joined the team from his hometown of Rosario at the age of six and stayed for over six years before moving across the Atlantic to Barcelona in 2000. His 21-year spell in Spain ended with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who he left last summer to join The Herons.
How did Messi became a Newell’s Old Boys’ fan?
Messi has never hidden his love for Newell’s, the local club he supported as a child, even before it became clear soccer was his life. His father, Jorge, would take him to the stadium to watch La Lepra (The Lepers) in action, capturing his interest at a very young age.
A little further down the line, in 1994, Messi joined the youth academy and his road to greatness began. He quickly became known as one of the club’s most outstanding talents, and one of the most outstanding talents anywhere, which he has long since proven.
Una noche soñada 💫⚽ #InterMiamiCF vs @Newells 📅 jueves 15 de febrero | 7:30 PM ET 🏟️ @drvpnkstadium 🎟️ https://t.co/CC0wN9QwEx pic.twitter.com/V35XnKbPYP
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 13, 2024
Messi’s incredible goalscoring record for Newell’s youth teams
In recognition of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s special bond with Newell’s, Inter Miami shared an image on social of the current Messi, wearing a Herons jersey, hand in hand with a “young” Messi, sporting the Argentine club’s red and black kit.
