After spending his entire adult life away from the country of his birth, will fans in Argentina ever see Lionel Messi play for his boyhood team?
Before he was plucked by Barcelona as a promising youngster, Messi was a youth team player for Newell’s Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario. The club’s incredible academy has also produced the likes of Gabriel Batistuta, Éver Banega and Mauricio Pochettino.
Earlier this month Newell’s appointed Sergio Gomez as the team’s head coach and the new boss has ambitious plans going forward. Gomez was asked about the prospect of bringing Messi back to Argentina one day and he admitted that it would be “a dream” to see Messi return.
“Everyone at Newell’s, including us, thinks it would be wonderful if he had the chance to play for his club and in his city,” Gomez said. “It would be a dream not only for our fans, but for the whole country.”
In the past Argentinian greats have returned to represent Newell’s, including Diego Maradona and Tata Martino. Gomez hopes that Messi could be the next in that tradition.
“One day, Maradona said: ‘I’m going to play in Newell’s,’” Gomez explained. “One day Tata Martino said: ‘I’m going to lend a hand in Newell’s.’ Messi has no commitment or obligation to Newell’s. But if he really wants to come, he’d have to say so.”
How long is Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami?
Despite Gomez’ wishes, there appears to be no chance of Messi returning to Newell’s Old Boys for some time yet. Messi is about to embark on his third full season with Inter Miami and does so as a reigning MLS Cup champion.
Miami move into a new soccer-specific stadium this year and Messi signed a three-year contract extension, committing his future to the club. Messi’s current deal runs through the 2028 MLS season, by which point he will be 42 years old.
Messi said of the extension: “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park.”
“We can’t wait for it to be finished - to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”