Lionel Messi, the celebrated football icon, is gearing up for an emotional reunion during Inter Miami’s pre-season preparations for the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign. After concluding his debut season with Miami in October, where the club fell short of reaching the playoffs, Messi is set to face his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, in the sixth and final pre-season friendly at DRV PNK Stadium on February 15.
Lionel Messi Eight-Time Ballon d’Or Winner
Taking a brief hiatus before the New Year, the 36-year-old Argentine star’s illustrious career began with Newell’s Old Boys before a pivotal move to Barcelona at the age of 13. Spending 21 remarkable years at Barcelona, Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, departed in 2021 to embark on a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain before making a historic move to Miami in June.
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In a sentimental twist, Inter Miami’s head coach, Gerardo Martino, who also shares ties with Newell’s Old Boys from his playing and managerial days, expressed his delight at hosting his beloved club in Miami. Martino emphasized the significance of the friendly match, not only for personal reasons but also as a crucial opportunity to prepare for what promises to be an exhilarating MLS season.
Lionel Messi set for emotional reunion after Cristiano Ronaldo showdownhttps://t.co/vz3AdQgJAr pic.twitter.com/gyi1DFmRuw
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 19, 2023
Before the reunion with Newell’s Old Boys, Inter Miami will engage in five more pre-season friendlies. Among these, an intriguing matchup awaits as Messi faces off against Al-Nassr from the Saudi Pro League, a team featuring none other than his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been a defining narrative in football for the past two decades, with the duo accumulating 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them during their time in La Liga.
Having faced each other 36 times throughout their illustrious careers, Lionel Messi holds the upper hand with 16 victories compared to Ronaldo’s 11, with nine matches ending in draws. The anticipation for this encounter adds an extra layer of excitement to Miami’s pre-season preparations.
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Miami’s pre-season journey kicks off on January 19 with a match against El Salvador, followed by fixtures in Saudi Arabia against Al Hilal and Al Nassr in Riyadh. Subsequent matches against a Hong Kong team and Japanese club Vissel Kobe precede the final pre-season showdown with Newell’s Old Boys back in the United States. The commencement of Miami’s MLS campaign is scheduled for either late February or early March, with the full schedule awaiting confirmation.