Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, has made his debut in the Newell's Cup tournament in the countryside city of Rosario.
The 12-year-old Messi played with the No 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, who lost 1-0 to host Newell's Old Boys in the traditional under-13 football competition.
His father Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in Rosario, 300 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires.
Thiago's mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend.
Thiago, who was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamin Suarez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, Messi's teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now Inter Miami.
Messi and Suarez are in Rosario after Inter Miami's early elimination in the MLS playoffs.
The youth tournament in Argentina features eight teams from North and South America.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thiago Messi wears the No 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team. AFP
