Messi to start for Inter Miami vs. his hometown club Newell’s Old Boys on Thursday

Among the promotions for Inter Miami’s final preseason match Thursday against Newell’s Old Boys is a photo of Lionel Messi in a pink Miami jersey holding hands with a childhood version of the Argentine legend wearing the red and black striped Newell’s shirt.

“A Dream Night” reads the caption.

Messi and Inter Miami coach Tata Martino are natives of Rosario, Argentina, home of Newell’s Old Boys, named after English founder Isaac Newell. Both grew up with the club and remain lifelong fans. Messi played there as a young boy before leaving for FC Barcelona. Martino spent most of his career there, holds the record for most appearances with 505 and later coached the team from near-relegation to trophy winners.

Shortly after Messi signed with Inter Miami, conversations began about a friendly match against Newell’s, and Martino confirmed Messi will be in the starting lineup Thursday.

On the eve of the 7:30 p.m. game at DRV PNK Stadium, photos of a Newell’s No. 10 jersey with “Messi” on the back appeared on social media, prompting whispers that Messi might play a few minutes in the shirt of his boyhood club.

While that is unlikely, according to sources, Newell’s coach Mauricio Larriera was noncommittal, saying he was not involved in any conversations about the festivities around the game.

Whether Messi plays in the jersey or is just presented with the shirt as a souvenir, Larriera and Newell’s captain Ever Banega said the game will be special.

“Soccer is big business, but this game is more sentimental and having the privilege of being part of this event, with so many big figures in the sport, people who will leave a legacy on the game, it makes me incredibly proud,” Larriera said. “From a sports standpoint, we will treat it like any other game, but there is a heartfelt bond there.

“I think Leo will be very happy to welcome his club, his people, to his new home.”

Asked who if Newell’s fans will root for their team or Messi, Larriera smiled and replied: “I think they will want Newell’s to win and Messi to be the best player.”

Banega added: “It would be nice if he would put on a Newell’s shirt, but we know that would be difficult because of his commitment to his club. But to face him in his home stadium with Newell’s, a club he loves, that alone is special for us.

“He is the biggest ambassador for all the people of Newell’s. That is a privilege for all of us connected with the team, and that is why we enjoy every step of his career.”

Martino also expects it to be an emotional night.

“Clearly I have a very special bond with Newell’s and surely it will be a wonderful night for me and all the people who come to the game,” he said. “I never could have imagined as a young player with Newell’s that one day I would be here coaching this game.”

Thursday’s game will be Inter Miami’s first since returning a week ago from its 24,000-mile world tour. The team lost three of its four games in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Tokyo; picked up a few minor injuries; and dealt with off-field controversies in Hong Kong.

Nevertheless, Martino felt there were positive takeaways from the grueling itinerary.

“Irrespective of the tour or the game tomorrow, my main job is to get the team ready and rested and declare clearly that the most important thing is Wednesday the 21^st,” Martino said, referring to Inter Miami’s MLS season opener at home next week against Real Salt Lake.

“In that sense, I feel that we got a lot out of the tour, dealing with different time zones, long flights. It was difficult, but it turned out not too traumatic as far as the physical state of the players, considering how many kilometers we traveled.”

The players had three and a half days off and returned to training camp this week.

Sergio Busquets, who injured his ankle in the Japan game, will not play Thursday but is expected to be ready for the MLS opener. “If the season opener was Thursday, he would play, but it’s not, so we will rest him and save him for the 21^st,” Martino said.

Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor agreed with Martino that the team benefited from the global tour.

“It was a trip I probably would never experience without playing for Inter Miami,” he said. “I think we got some really good games behind us, really important challenges for us to start the season with. That’s what preseason is about, test yourselves before you start the real games and I think we did that. We’re all ready for the season to start.”

Notes: Midfielder Jean Mota returned from Brazil, where he had been finalizing paperwork for his green card…Asked about Argentine defensive midfielder Federico Redondo, who is expected to sign with Inter Miami, Martino said: “I have not spoken with him. He is with Argentinos Juniors and was playing in the pre-Olympic tournament. It is difficult for me to speak about a player who is not with us. Maybe next week, in the next press conference before the Real Salt Lake game, I will be able to speak about him.”