Inter Miami, led by coach Gerardo Martino, is set to host an emotionally charged pre-season friendly match against Lionel Messi’s boyhood team, Newell’s Old Boys, on February 15 at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami.
The Major League Soccer club revealed their schedule, including this notable fixture, on Monday.
Newell’s Old Boys, based in Rosario, Messi’s hometown, holds a special place in the superstar’s heart as it’s where he began his football journey before joining Barcelona at the age of 13.
Expressing his excitement, Coach Martino shared, “I am delighted to welcome my beloved Newell’s to our home here in Miami. It will be a special match due to everything Newell’s Old Boys means to me.”
This game marked an emotional moment for both Messi and Martino, who have deep connections with the Argentine club. Martino himself had played for Newell’s in three separate periods before returning as the team’s coach in 2012.
The friendly match is part of Inter Miami’s packed pre-season preparations. They kick off their training sessions against El Salvador’s national team in San Salvador on January 19, followed by matches in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, including a game against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
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