Back in the United States after Inter Miami's controversial Asian tour, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will bring his legendary career full circle on Thursday when he leads out his side against Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club
Messi's encounter with the Rosario club he played for as a boy will conclude Inter's preparation for the upcoming MLS campaign, which kicks off in Miami on February 21, later this month.
The US franchise hopes that this special friendly will put behind them the disappointments of a challenging pre-season behind them. A string of defeats, fitness problems for Messi and his new/old partner Luis Suárez, and even anger from fans and state authorities overseas have damaged morale at the club.
At 36 years of age, Messi faces his first full season in MLS. His challenge is to stay healthy throughout a busy tournament schedule.
With Inter Miami, the former Barcelona star will be vying for his first MLS trophy, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and to retain the Leagues Cup trophy. For his national side, Argentina, the Copa América awaits later this year. Perhaps even the icing on the cake, an appearance at the Paris Olympics, awaits him.
But before starting this marathon season, Messi will live out one of the most special head-to-heads of his career: turning out against Newell's Old Boys, the team of which he has been a fan since he was a child.
The world champion started playing football at the Abanderado Grandoli club, a few blocks from his home, and at the age of six he joined the youth forces of Newell's, one of the cit’y two most iconic clubs along with their arch-rivals Rosario Central.
Despite his short stature, news of ‘La Pulga’ and his innate talent travelled far, to the River Plate offices in Buenos Aires. It even crossed the ocean to Europe – in late 2000, Barcelona managed to get Messi into its famous La Masia academy by agreeing to cover the cost of the growth hormone treatment that was not guaranteed by the budgtes of most Argentine teams.
Last dance in Rosario?
Despite his traumatic departure from Rosario, 300 kilometres northwest of Buenos Aires, at the age of 13, Messi has maintained a sentimental bond with Newell's and Argentine football in particular, a fact strengthened after he led the national team to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The striker, whose contract in Miami expires in 2025, has not ruled out the possibility of returning to his native Rosario and playing in the Argentine league with Newell's before retiring.
"Personally, I always had the idea – and even more so after becoming a world champion – of being able to enjoy Argentine football, of playing for Newell's.
”I used to go there as a kid, it was my dream to play there. When I was a kid I used to go to the stadium, it was my dream to play there," Messi said in an interview last September with comedian Miguel Granados.
Thursday's friendly, which kicks off at 7.30pm local time (9.30pm Buenos Aires) at Inter's DRV PNK stadium, will also be an important match for Inter coach Gerardo Martino.
As a player, ‘Tata’ Martino holds the record number of games played in Newell's colours. He also had a successful stint on his bench as coach, guiding them to the Torneo Final title in 2013.
Defeats, injuries and conflicts
On a sporting level, Newell's will arrive in good shape. They are in the first few weeks of the domestic championship and Uruguayan coach Mauricio Larriera had led them to a perfect start to the season until last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Racing Club.
Inter Miami, on the other hand, have had their fair share of upsets this pre-season, starting with a drab goalless draw against El Salvador and a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas.
Problems multiplied on their first ambitious Asian tour, designed to cash-in on Messi's presence and grow the brand internationally.
The side’s first stop in Saudi Arabia resulted in a 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal and a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of injured Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, a game in which Messi only played the final few minutes due to fitness issues.
The Albiceleste star was unable to take part in the next test against a Hong Kong select side (4-1 victory), which unleashed the fury of the local fans. Messi and club owner David Beckham were booed and supporters demanded explanations from the local authorities and the organisers of the match as to why the star didn’t step on the pitch.
Messi returned to the field for the end of the tour in Tokyo, where Inter played out a goalless draw against Vissel Kobe.
Inter Miami’s pre-season record? Just one win in six games.
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