The whispers have grown louder. The idea that seemed like mere fantasy now carries weight. Lionel Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and global icon, may be preparing for one final turn in his storied career. And while most expected a fairytale return to the Camp Nou, that chapter may not be reopening. In fact, his next stop may not be in Europe at all.
According to journalist Flavio Azzaro, “Lionel Messi has decided to join Newell’s Old Boys in December.” The report, still unofficial, has sent shockwaves across the soccer world. A return to his roots? Yes. But also a move filled with emotion, symbolism, and unfulfilled dreams.
Messi’s journey began in Rosario, Argentina, where he first laced up his boots for a modest club that nurtured his talent long before Barcelona transformed him into a superstar. He joined the youth academy of this unnamed side at the age of six and scored an astonishing nearly 500 goals in just six years.
The romance between the Argentine superstar and his boyhood club has never faded. Fans have clung to the hope that one day, he would come full circle. That hope now feels more real than ever.
What did Newell’s Old Boys president say?
The strongest indication yet came not from Messi himself, but from Newell’s Old Boys president Ignacio Astore, who openly acknowledged efforts behind the scenes. “Claudio Tapia is working permanently to have Lionel play at Newell’s,” Astore told Argentine media. Tapia, the president of the Argentine Soccer Association, is reportedly leading the charge to make the dream return a reality.
Messi, Astore says, still has a few boxes left to tick in Argentine soccer. “A Copa Argentina, a Sudamericana, and a Libertadores,” he listed, underscoring the lure of challenges Messi has never faced—domestic trophies in the country he left as a boy.
While the emotional pull is strong, the move is not without complications. The 37-year-old remains under contract with Inter Miami until December 2025, and the American club, as well as Major League Soccer, will likely resist letting him go before then.
Even more complex is the personal aspect. Though Messi often returns to Rosario during breaks, his life is now deeply rooted in the U.S., where he has found comfort and stability for his family. Astore admitted as much, saying that although he doesn’t speak directly with Messi, he maintains “good relations with his close circle.” Family dynamics, lifestyle preferences, and existing contractual obligations all weigh heavily in the decision.
The city awaits
The buzz in Rosario is palpable, especially as the local soccer scene heats up. The return of Angel Di María to archrivals Rosario Central has only intensified local hopes. Newell’s supporters are dreaming bigger, believing that Messi’s homecoming would not just match that of Di Maria—it would eclipse it entirely.
And the signs are there. Recently, Messi was seen publicly wearing Newell’s colors, attending his son’s matches while donning the red and black jersey that defined his early years. Each gesture adds fuel to the fire of speculation.
