Messi’s son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch

Lionel's Messi' son,Thiago of Inter Miami, plays in a soccer match against Penarol during the Newell's Cup in Rosario, Argentina, Tuesday. (AP)
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Updated 27 November 2024
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Messi’s son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch

  • The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team
  • Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play

BUENOS AIRES: 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, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday.

Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires.

Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, 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 at Inter Miami.

Messi and Suarez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami’s U13 team against Union at the same sports complex.

The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America.


Arsenal hoist first Women’s Champions Cup in thrilling win over Corinthians

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Arsenal hoist first Women’s Champions Cup in thrilling win over Corinthians

  • Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post ‌in the ‌104th minute to earn a ‌dramatic ⁠winner ​over the ‌Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino
  • As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, ​Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize

LONDON: Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord struck in extra time to power them to victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil’s Corinthians 3-2 in ​a rain-soaked final at the Emirates Stadium.

Reigning Champions League winners Arsenal looked set to seal the title in normal time, leading 2-1 before Vic Albuquerque converted a 96th-minute penalty to force extra time.

Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy also scored for Renee Slegers’ team before Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post ‌in the ‌104th minute to earn a ‌dramatic ⁠winner ​over the ‌Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“It’s not often that at Arsenal you can write history because history has been written so many times,” Wubben-Moy told Sky Sports.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants. To come to this inaugural competition ⁠and win it and do it with all of our fans ‌here in style — — our fans are ‍wonderful and that’s who we ‍do it for.

“To win the first silverware this ‍year is a big leap forward. We want more. Stick with us, 2026 has more to come.”

As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, ​Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize.

The one negative on the night was Arsenal’s goalkeeper Anneke Borbe ⁠being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Wubben-Moy late in extra time.

The timing of the tournament favored Arsenal, who are in the midst of their Women’s Super League season, while Corinthians are in their pre-season and CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Gotham FC are in their off-season.

Arsenal had thrashed Moroccan champions AS FAR 6-0 in Wednesday’s semifinals, while Corinthians had edged Gotham, of the National Women’s Soccer League, 1-0 in the ‌other semis.

Gotham secured third place with a 4-0 win against AS FAR earlier on Sunday.