Argentina’s Lionel Messi (AP)
A report by El Nacional suggested that the Argentine World Cup winner could move back to Rosario after the conclusion of this contract with Inter Miami which expires in December 2025.
Lionel Messi may return to his boyhood club in Argentina when his current contract with Inter Miami expires in December 2025. Messi had played for Newell’s Old Boys for five years before relocating to Barcelona at the age of 13. The Argentine legend may consider retiring at the club where he spent the early days of his youth career.
According to a report by El Nacional, Messi will move back to his homeland after parting ways with Inter Miami next year. He shifted his base to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club last year. In his first season in the USA, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner helped Inter Miami win their first trophy– the Leagues Cup.
Back in 2016, Messi had expressed his desire to rejoin Newell’s Old Boys. “If I go back to Argentina tomorrow, which I would love, the club I would be playing for would be Newell’s,” the 37-year-old told Spanish magazine El Planeta Urbano (via Mirror).
A few years later, Messi addressed the same topic during an interaction with TyC Sports. At that time, the legendary footballer seemed not quite sure about returning to Argentina. “My dream is to play at Newell’s but I don’t know what will happen, and a part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment,” he said, as quoted by the Mirror.
“I have a family and my children come first, and then me, I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security. It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina,” Messi added.
Messi led Argentina to a FIFA World Cup triumph in December 2022. Messi was named the best player of the tournament. He scored seven goals and provided three assists during the World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Messi last represented Argentina in the Copa America final. He could not play the entire game due to an injury. He returned to action for Inter Miami last week and scored a brace against Philadelphia Union. Despite missing a crucial part of the season, Messi has already secured 16 goals and 12 assists in his 18 appearances across competitions. Inter Miami currently lead the Eastern Conference table and they are nine points clear of the second-placed FC Cincinnati.
