Lionel Messi will face his former club Newell’s Old Boys on February 15 after Inter Miami scheduled a friendly against the Argentine side.

Before joining Barcelona in 2000, Messi spent six years in the junior system at Newell’s Old Boys, scoring 234 goals and being a member of the club’s legendary ‘The Machine of ’87’ youth team, named after the year of their birth.

Messi is a lifelong supporter of Newell’s Old Boys, having been born in their hometown of Rosario, and Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino also has a close relationship with the club, having spent the majority of his playing career there and managing them in the 2012-13 season.

“I am delighted to welcome my beloved Newell’s to our home here in Miami,” Martino stated in a statement.

“It will be a special match because Newell’s Old Boys means so much to me.” It will also provide an excellent opportunity to prepare for what will undoubtedly be an entertaining season.”

On February 15, the match will be contested at Inter Miami’s home stadium, DRV PNK in Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re very pleased to be able to play this exciting preseason match at home in front of our fans at DRV PNK Stadium,” Inter Miami’s chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson stated.

“This game against Newell’s is an excellent addition to a series of games that will put us in the best possible position to compete in 2024.” We’re looking forward to what comes next.”

This comes after Inter Miami confirmed earlier this month that they will tour Saudi Arabia this winter for the Riyadh Season Cup, including friendly games against Al Hilal and Al Nassr, in which Messi will face Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inter Miami confirmed their trip to Riyadh less than a month after denying news of their participation in the competition, which had intended for them to play Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

Inter Miami has also confirmed a match against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe on February 7.