When is Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami?

After almost 10 days and a total of three countries, Inter Miami bid farewell to their tour of Asia on Wednesday. After two defeats, a draw and one win, Tata Martino’s men will return to their Florida base with plenty of work left to do on the training ground.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Miami faced their last preseason challenge abroad. Their defeat to Vissel Kobe on penalties marked the end of a tough journey on the road for the MLS club.

A tribute to Messi

Lionel Messi and Co. will host Newell’s Old Boys in Miami on Wednesday 16 February (8:30 p.m. ET). Martino’s team will have a week from the time they travel back home to prepare for the match against the side from Rosario, Argentina.

Messi left his native Rosario when he was just 13 years old and will face the club he played for as a kid in what will be a special match for the World Cup winner. At the time, FC Barcelona took a gamble on a young Argentine talent who stood out for his small stature. Throughout his stunning career, there was one team that remained in Messi’s heart: Newell’s.

Maradona at Newell’s

La Lepra, as they are known in Argentina, also had fellow Argentina legend Diego Maradona on their books for a brief period. Shortly after Maradona’s death, and during his spell with Barcelona, Messi dedicated a goal to him by lifting his Barcelona shirt to reveal a shirt worn by his idol during his time at Newell’s.