Lionel Messi set for emotional reunion with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys as Inter Miami line up preseason clash with the Argentine team in February

Lionel Messi will reportedly have an emotional reunion with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in February.

The Inter Miami star began his illustrious career with his hometown club in Rosario, Argentina, when he was just six years old, dominating with the club’s remarkable youth team.

Messi was subsequently recruited by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and has had a remarkable career, being honored with an eighth Ballon d’Or last week.

But now he is set to take on his boyhood club in a friendly with Inter Miami in mid-February.

The Miami Herald reports this that the Herons are planning a home game with Newell’s as a warm-up for the new MLS season.

Messi (centre, playing for the team as a youngster) dominated with Newell’s back in Argentina

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino also played and coached at Newell’s, so it will be an emotional reunion for him as well.

Inter Miami and Messi will have a short break before getting ready for next year, with pre-season preparation starting on January 10.

Inter Miami, which failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs, was scheduled to play a pair of friendlies in China.

However, the tour was canceled, forcing the club to organize an exhibition match against New York City FC next Friday.

The match, billed as ‘Noche d’Or’, commemorates Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or win last week.

Messi was pictured wearing a Newell’s shirt in tribute to the late Diego Maradona in 2020

The Argentinian defeated the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé to win the award.

While his domestic season is over, he is expected to feature in the World Cup qualifiers for Argentina this month.

La Albiceleste will play Uruguay on November 16 and Brazil on November 21.

The Herons have not played a competitive game since their 1-0 loss to Charlotte on October 21.