Messi's Old and Current Clubs Face Off in Miami Friendly

 Messi's Old and Current Clubs Face Off in Miami Friendly

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after winning a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil(Image-Getty)

The news had been floating in the air for a long time in the form of rumours. Lionel Messi's childhood club Newell's Old Boys will play Messi's current club Inter Miami. That rumor is going to be true now. Both Inter Miami and New Wales have officially announced that the two teams will play a friendly match at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami on February 15, 2024.

New Wales, however, wanted to host the match at their home ground, the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium. But in the end it doesn't happen. They have to go to Florida and play. In the meantime, however, the sale of tickets for the match has also started. However, Inter Miami season ticket holders will have the opportunity to buy tickets earlier, according to the Miami authorities.

Like Messi, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino also started his career for New Wales. Not only as a player, but also as a coach, he served New Wales. Martino also won several trophies as a coach and player for the club.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said about this special match with the club that is linked to memories, "I am happy to welcome my beloved Newells to our Miami. It's going to be a special match for what New Wales Old Boys means to me.'

Martino also thinks that this match will greatly energize the team for the preparation of the season, "This match will be a good opportunity to prepare for an exciting season."

Although he started playing in New Wales' age group, Messi never played in the club's first team. After spending 1995 to 2000 in New Wales, Messi moved to Barcelona's academy 'La Masia'. Among them, the news of Messi's return to New Wales at the end of his career came up several times. But we have to wait a little more to know whether Messi does something like that or not.

Meanwhile, Miami, highly energized by Messi, is focusing on preparing for the new season. Messi will play the first warm-up match of the pre-season against the El Salvador national team on January 19. After that, the club will go on their international tour. Where on January 29, they will play against Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

And on February 1, their opponent is Al Nasr. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will meet again with this match. Then they will go to Hong Kong from Saudi Arabia. Where on February 4 they will play against the selected XI of Hong Kong. Inter Miami will take on Japan's top league champions Vissel Kobe on February 7.