When your father is hailed as one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a pitch, there is a high likelihood you will follow in his footsteps, right?
Well, that appears to be the path that Thiago Messi, the son of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel, is taking.
Thiago, aged 12, turned out for Inter Miami’s under-13 team in the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, on Monday, wearing his father’s iconic number 10 shirt.
It is the 10th edition of the youth tournament, which sees eight clubs from North and South America compete across five days.
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Father Lionel was born in Rosario, where Newell’s Old Boys are based, and spent five years in the academy of the Argentine outfit prior to joining Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy as a 13-year-old.
The 37-year-old, who spent most of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain and then on to Inter Miami, has achieved incredible things in the sport – winning 13 league titles and the Champions League on four occasions.
He also captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa America success in 2021 and 2024.
Although Messi Sr was not in attendance at the Jorge B Griffa Sports Complex, a banner showing him kissing the World Cup was watching over Thiago.
Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and grandparents Jorge and Celia Messi, watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to host club Newell’s Old Boys.
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Benjamin Suarez, the son of Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez, also featured alongside Thiago.
Inter Miami are back in action on Tuesday against Uruguayan club Penarol 91.
Christmas Wonderland throws big ‘Noche Buena’ party in Miami-Dade
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — There is a park — that aims to please both adrenaline junkies and fans of colorful lights — open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Miami-Dade County.
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There is a special for four tickets for about $100 on the “Noche Buena Party” in Miami-Dade’s Westchester neighborhood.
Admission includes unlimited rides from 4 p.m. to midnight at Tropical Park, at 7900 SW 40 St.
The Local 10 News Weather Authority meteorologists don’t expect rain on Wednesday night in the area. The probability of rain on Thursday is low.
For more information and tickets, visit this page.
More on Christmas in Miami-Dade
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Local 10 News Afternoon Weather Edition: 12/24/25
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Magdala Louissaint
Magdala Louissaint joined WPLG in August 2025 and is thrilled to call South Florida home.
Andrea Torres
The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
Doug Myers is a digital content producer for CBS Texas. A longtime journalist, Doug has worked for four newspapers in Texas and Louisiana and for three television stations in Texas. He has also spent time as a digital content manager for a national trade association and as communications director for a state agency.
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/ CBS Miami
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A London‑bound passenger was arrested Monday at Miami International Airport after federal officers found more than 130 pounds of vacuum‑sealed marijuana – 60 bundles in all – packed into two suitcases, authorities said.
Begum Mulazimoglu, 22, of London, is facing a first‑degree felony charge of trafficking in cannabis after she was taken into custody before boarding a Virgin Atlantic flight to Heathrow Airport, according to an arrest affidavit. Mulazimoglu appeared before a judge on Tuesday.
Suitcases flagged during outbound check
Begum Mulazimoglu, 22.
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Miami-Dade Corrections
The Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer flagged two hardsided suitcases during an outbound inspection after detecting a strong odor of marijuana.
According to authorities, Mulazimoglu claimed ownership of the bags and had about $1,000 worth of U.S. and British currency – $330 in U.S. dollars and £530 in British pounds (about $713 USD) – in her possession.
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Affidavit details marijuana discovery
An arrest affidavit said Homeland Security Investigations notified the Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office after the passenger was detained with the two marijuana-stuffed suitcases at the airport.
An X‑ray scan revealed 60 bundles, 30 in each suitcase, weighing a combined 59.74 kilograms (131.7 pounds), along with two Apple AirTags hidden inside, the affidavit said. The bundles were sealed in black nylon vacuum‑packed bags.
Federal prosecution declined
An Assistant United States Attorney declined federal prosecution, according to the affidavit.
The Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office was notified, and Mulazimoglu was provided a meal before being taken into custody and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
The property was impounded at Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office headquarters.
