Things nicely Messi as son of a gun makes his debut

Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300km 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 Benjamín 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 under-13 team against Union at the same sports complex.

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