Sports Desk, Feb 16 (EFE).- Major League Soccer club Inter Miami closed its preseason on Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Newell’s Old Boys at home.<\/p>
The club won just one preseason match, in Hong Kong, in which two of its most recognizable stars, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, did not play.<\/p>
Both Messi and coach Gerardo Martino have a strong connection with Miami’s latest rival, Argentine club Newell.<\/p>
Martino is the player with the most appearances in Newell\u2019s history and was also the protagonist of the championships it won in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1992.<\/p>
He was also appointed the team’s manager in 2013.<\/p>
Messi left Newell\u2019s to join FC Barcelona after a productive youth career with the Argentine side.<\/p>
Haitian Shanyder Borgelin put the hosts ahead in the 64th minute with a header, and Argentine Franco D\u00edaz equalized for Newell’s in the 83rd minute after a defensive error.<\/p>
Messi and Suarez played 60 minutes, a week ahead of their opening match in the MLS against Real Salt Lake in the coming week.<\/p>
Their former Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba, played 72 minutes while Sergio Busquets was rested.<\/p>
Messi fulfilled his dream of facing his childhood team Newell’s where it all began for him and whose fans have never abandoned him.<\/p>
This has been demonstrated in many moments of his career, with iconic images such as the celebration at Camp Nou of the goal dedicated to Maradona shortly after his death.<\/p>
Many fans of the Argentine club gathered at the DRV PNK Stadium, painting the stands with multiple banners.<\/p>
Maxi Rodr\u00edguez, the legend of Newell’s and the national team, was also present and posed with Messi and ‘Tata’ Martino wearing a Lepers t-shirt.<\/p>
Messi returned to the field after the match to attend a photo session with Newell’s players. EFE<\/p>
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