Lionel Messi may be heading into the final stretch of his legendary career, but his legacy is already starting to shine through his son. Just 12 years old, Thiago Messi is making waves in Inter Miami’s youth ranks, and his latest goal at the MICFootball tournament had shades of prime Leo. In the clip, Thiago dribbled past defenders with ease and finished with a classy outside-foot shot past the goalkeeper. Wearing the iconic number 10, he celebrated calmly — but social media exploded. The big question now: are we witnessing the rise of another Messi bound for greatness?

Thiago scored that wonder goal in the very same tournament his dad played back in 2003, when Leo Messi represented FC Barcelona in the U16 category. Now, his son is shining for Inter Miami’s U13 team at the MICFootball tournament in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in the first edition of the event to be held in the Americas.

MICFootball: Legacy meets new talent

Both father and son are now part of MICFootball’s rich history, a tournament known for spotlighting future stars. In this edition, Thiago Messi has been a standout, helping his team from Florida reach the Round of 16, where they’ll face EF Jorge Rolando Bauger this Friday at 9:30 AM ET.

The Inter Miami U13 squad also includes some familiar last names: Benjamín Suárez, son of Luis Suárez, and Bautista Ustari, son of Óscar Ustari — all sharing the pitch and chasing dreams at one of youth football’s most prestigious showcases.

And it’s not just Inter Miami: another big name making headlines is Martín Casillas, son of Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas, who’s also competing in the tournament. It’s a new generation of football royalty making their first moves. The hype and comparisons are natural, but young Thiago Messi is already carving out his own path. With skill, vision, and a famous last name, the football world is watching closely to see what’s next.