‘I screw him over when he plays!’ - Lionel Messi enjoys verbal jousting with son Thiago as Inter Miami & Argentina superstar jokes about critics in his own family

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became the biggest draw in U.S. soccer when deciding to go chasing the American dream in 2023. His family were brought along for the ride, with wife Antonela and their three children settling quickly in the Florida sunshine.

Thiago has linked up with Inter Miami’s academy, as he seeks to follow in the illustrious footsteps of his father. Messi is a regular at youth games, when his professional schedule allows, and has told Dsports of enjoying playful banter with his oldest son: “I talk about football with them, especially Thiago. He’s older, he plays, he knows everything. He often hits me, because I screw him over when he plays too. And he hits me back when I play.”

The Messi clan had to adjust to living under the brightest of spotlights at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but have found a more relaxed way of life in the United States. They are embracing that, while Messi is delighted that his sons are old enough to enjoy the success that he has achieved of late – with Argentina inspired to World Cup glory in 2022. He added: “They are lucky to have experienced everything that we are experiencing. I am happy about that. We are a very normal family and we do the simple things that anyone can do.”

Messi, as the most-decorated player of all-time, has another trophy in his sights at present. He is hoping to land major honour No.45 when captaining Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final – with Colombia lying in wait at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday.