Thiago Messi, the eldest son of Lionel Messi, is beginning to carve out his own path in football and he’s doing it on a special stage: the prestigious MICFootball tournament, which has seen the rise of many top-tier players, including his father, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.

This year, the MIC takes on a tropical twist, with Punta Cana hosting the tournament’s first-ever international edition. It’s a unique experience that brings together some of the world’s most promising young talents, and Thiago has already become one of the biggest attractions of the opening day.

Father and Son Compete in Club World Cups

While Lionel Messi shines for Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup, his son Thiago represents the same club at the U13 level in MICFootball. He made his debut with a solid 2-0 win against Club Sportif Moulien, alongside Benja Suárez, son of Uruguayan star Luis Suárez. The pair suffered a narrow 1-2 loss in their second match against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

Over 70 Matches at Cap Cana Sports City

The action is taking place at Cap Cana Sports City, where more than 70 matches have already been played across 13 fields, with packed stands and a vibrant atmosphere fueled by over 3,000 participants in this four-day championship.

Football Royalty: Legends’ Children on the Pitch

Thiago and Benja aren’t the only children of football icons playing in Punta Cana. Martín Casillas, son of Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas and journalist Sara Carbonero, is also competing. Carbonero has been spotted in the stands watching her son, who, like his father, plays as a goalkeeper. Martín’s team is dominating early on with 29 goals scored and just one conceded in their first two matches.

The tournament has already delivered some early shocks. In the U15 category, Albion Elite Red stunned Bayer Leverkusen with a narrow 1-0 win, while in U14, ACFFI defeated Aston Villa by the same scoreline.

Naturally, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are competing as well. Participating in the U12 division, Barcelona MIC most decorated team has already won all three of its group-stage matches, including a crushing 18-1 victory over Català FC Academy Groc. Could we be heading for a mini Clásico in the final? All will be revealed on Sunday.

A New Messi Era in the Making?

There’s no doubt that Thiago Messi has inherited his father’s talent, but the big question remains: can he live up to the Messi legacy? Only time will tell. For now, the football world is watching his every move with curiosity and high hopes.