Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, started his football journey on Monday, playing for Inter Miami youth team in the ‘Newell’s Cup’ in the countryside city of Rosario.

The 12-year-old Messi wore jersey number 10 like his father. However, Inter Miami lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday.

Lionel took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of the capital Buenos Aires.

Thiago’s mother, Antonella Roccuzzo, and several family members, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend.

Thiago was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi’s teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami.

Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami’s U-13 team against Unión at the same sports complex.

The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America.