Photos on social media from fans show that Messi is in his hometown of Rosario (Argentina). He went to the stadium to watch and support his son Thiago Messi and the Inter Miami youth team playing internationally here on November 24.
Thiago Messi and the Inter Miami youth team traveled to Rosario City to participate in the Illinois Newell’s Cup international tournament organized by the Newell’s Old Boys Club. Newell’s Old Boys is also the team that hopes to recruit Messi after his contract with Inter Miami ends at the end of 2025 or 2026.
The Illinois Newell’s Cup international tournament takes place from November 25 to November 29, according to Diario Ole (Argentina). Thiago Messi and striker Suarez’s son, Benjamin Suarez, are both on the Inter Miami youth team and are also close friends like their two famous fathers.
Messi said that after the match where Argentina won 1-0 against Peru on November 20 in the South American qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, he stayed in his hometown of Rosario to wait to accompany his eldest son, who was scheduled to play internationally here with the Inter Miami youth team. This could be the reason why Messi just turned down an invitation to return to Barcelona to attend the club’s 125th anniversary celebration, which took place at the same time as Thiago Messi played.
Meanwhile, Messi’s Inter Miami teammates Alba, Busquets and Suarez stayed in Miami. They just visited the Barcelona Academy training session in Miami on November 23.
Afterwards, only Suarez flew to Rosario to join Messi to support his sons in the match. Alba and Busquets could return to Barcelona to attend the club’s anniversary celebration.
Messi is currently out of action until February 2025, with Inter Miami having been eliminated early from the MLS Cup and Argentina having completed their 2024 fixtures.
In the new 2025 season, Messi and his teammates will work with new coach Javier Mascherano, who is also very familiar with the 37-year-old player and the remaining players such as Alba, Busquets and Suarez due to their time playing together at Barcelona before.
