Inter Miami and Newell's Old Boys play out draw in friendly

Lionel Messi, the renowned superstar of Inter Miami, made his comeback to the starting lineup for the MLS club on Thursday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at home against his beloved Argentine boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had a sentimental match, as he had supported Old Boys during his youth and played for them from 1995 to 2000 before joining Barcelona.

In the 60th minute, Messi was substituted by 22-year-old American Lawson Sunderland, much to the delight of the home fans. This match served as a great warm-up ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign and impressed Inter coach Gerardo Martino with Messi's exceptional performance.

"After the game, I spoke to him and he seemed fine. We had discussed his playing time, aiming for him to be on the field between 45 and 60 minutes," stated the Argentine coach.

Having recovered from a groin injury that kept him out of a friendly match in Hong Kong earlier this month, the 36-year-old forward made a comeback in Miami's starting 11.

Messi had previously made a substitute appearance in another Inter Miami match in Japan, but this time he was back as a starter for the MLS club's final pre-season game, displaying his healthy form.

"I can see that Messi has fully recovered," Martino commented. "We are gradually easing him back into the team, ensuring that he arrives well-prepared for the upcoming MLS season. Based on what I witnessed today on the field, particularly his acceleration and ability to reach the penalty area, I am truly convinced of his readiness."

After a goalless first half, Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in the 64th minute thanks to Shanyder Borgelin's goal. The 22-year-old Haitian forward rose above a defender to head in a perfect corner kick delivered by Finnish midfielder Robert Taylor.

Newell's equalized in the 83rd minute with a powerful shot from Argentine midfielder Franco Martin Diaz, finding the bottom right corner from the heart of the box.

The match held special significance for the Argentine players on Inter Miami, as well as for Martino. "For many of us who have a strong connection with Newell's, it was a special and enjoyable game, a friendly to savor," Martino commented.

Mauricio Larriera, the coach of Newell's, and the Old Boys shared similar sentiments. "Emotions needed to be managed, which is crucial in these situations because ultimately it's a football match," Larriera stated.

Regarding Lionel Messi's presence, Martino emphasized the happiness and sense of Argentine identity among the players. It was important to carefully balance and manage not only the physical energy but also the emotional aspect.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face Real Salt Lake in their MLS regular-season opener on Wednesday. Despite a challenging preseason marked by injuries, the team has built confidence for the upcoming season, which will be Messi's first full campaign with the Florida squad.

"It was a challenge. From a football perspective, it wasn't the best preseason," Martino admitted. "Nor was it ideal in terms of competitiveness, as we didn't have a complete squad to handle the number of games due to injuries. Our main goal was to come out of the preseason without major setbacks and have a relatively healthy squad."

"We have addressed the club's needs and have been working towards the start of the season. I have high expectations of starting the competition on a positive note."