Source: USA TODAY SPORTS/David Gonzales
[Saba Sports News] Recently, the head coach of the U.S. national team, Mauricio Pochettino, was asked in a media interview whether Lionel Messi’s two sons, Mateo and Thiago, might one day play for the U.S. national team. Pochettino shared his thoughts: “We can talk about it, but by then I might be old. Maybe I won’t be coaching the U.S. team anymore, but it would be a good thing; why not try? Considering they are Messi’s sons and their Argentine heritage, it’s tough to persuade them to play for the U.S. team. I am also Argentine, and I would prefer them to play for Argentina unless I am still coaching the U.S. national team by then.” Thiago was born in 2012, and Mateo in 2015. Although both children were born in Barcelona, they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Currently, Thiago and Mateo are training at Inter Miami’s youth academy. Additionally, Messi’s younger son, Ciro, born in 2018, has also joined Inter Miami’s youth academy.