Lionel Messi Considered Joining Newell’s Old Boys, Not Sure If That’ll Happen As Argentina Say Goodbye
Lionel Messi’s Newell’s Old Boys Return Rumors Continue as Argentina Future Hangs in Balance
The speculation around Lionel Messi’s potential return to Newell’s Old Boys continues to cause excitement among football fans, but the situation is currently no further than simple talk regarding potential transfer activity and no official announcement confirming that Messi would move from Inter Miami to the Rosario-based club.
That said, the potential future transfer holds considerable personal significance, given the relationship between Messi and Newell’s Old Boys, and its importance within Argentina.
There is, however, a clear difference between Messi’s popularity and the likelihood of a future transfer to Newell’s Old Boys in which discussions are still in their infancy.
What Makes Newell’s Old Boys Significant to Lionel Messi
Messi played for Newell’s Old Boys as a youngster before he left Argentina in his teens to join Barcelona. The move to La Liga would prove to be a huge turning point in Messi’s career – but it was the club in Rosario that provided the starting point for his footballing career.
A return to Newell’s Old Boys would, therefore, mark the continuation of Messi’s footballing journey in the place where it began. It would also mark significant media interest as well, considering the profile of one of football’s most iconic names.
That being said, media interest is not the equivalent of a confirmed transfer, and any return to Newell’s Old Boys would still have to meet the requirements of Messi, his current club and potentially any contractual agreement in place to facilitate the transfer.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina Career Also Fuels Transfer Talk
Lionel Messi continues to play a starring role in Argentina’s international successes in recent years. He played a key role in Argentina’s first Copa América victory since 1993 in 2021 before leading his country to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar.
His exploits with the Albiceleste have fuelled media interest about his potential future – though not exclusively with regards to a future at Newell’s Old Boys. There is no suggestion at the moment that a return to Argentina would be the equivalent of announcing his retirement from international football.
Statements should, therefore, be taken with a pinch of salt when it comes to speculation about a Lionel Messi retirement from the Argentina national team unless a statement to that effect has been made by Messi himself or the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
What Would a Lionel Messi to Newell’s Old Boys Transfer Mean for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami remain one of the most high-profile clubs in Major League Soccer. As such, any talk around a Messi transfer needs to put Inter Miami’s perspective into consideration.
According to the article, his current club contract runs through 2028, which suggests any return to Newell’s Old Boys would require some level of negotiation between Inter Miami and the Rosario-based club in order to facilitate the transfer.
Should Messi choose to end his contract with Inter Miami before its expiry date, it would then depend on the terms of that agreement as well as any applicable MLS and Football Association of Argentina transfer regulations. As is currently the case, there is no confirmed talk of a transfer between either club.
As such, reports about a Messi to Newell’s transfer should not be seen as confirmation that Messi is in any way prepared to leave MLS.
Is Lionel Messi Set to Return to Newell’s Old Boys or Retire from Argentina?
No such decisions have been confirmed by the information in this article. The prospect of a return to Newell’s Old Boys and a retirement from Argentina are both intriguing possibilities given the relationship between Messi and the club in Rosario, but that does not make them definitive certainties on a par with confirmed statements from Messi himself.
There are multiple unanswered questions at the moment:
- Has Messi set a firm intention to return to Newell’s Old Boys?
- Have Inter Miami and Newell’s Old Boys discussed a potential transfer?
- Does the timing and contract situation currently allow for such a move?
- Has Messi announced his retirement from Argentina?
All of the above questions remain unanswered, and there is no reliable confirmation to suggest that any of the above have been confirmed.
South Africa’s football fans should treat unconfirmed information with a degree of scepticism before any official positions are announced by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Newell’s Old Boys or the AFA.
What South African Football Fans Should Watch for in the Lionel Messi Saga
Announcements regarding any Messi retirement or potential transfer to Newell’s Old Boys will provide the most important updates for South African football fans.
Confirmation would, therefore, be more important than any report about potential Messi interest in a future move to Newell’s Old Boys or retirement from Argentina. That is not to diminish the value of informed reports, but official confirmation provides a more reliable update for football fans.
In particular, South African fans should keep an eye on whether Newell’s Old Boys have issued an official statement on potential Messi negotiations.
That statement, if it comes, will be a far cry from the unsubstantiated gossip that often surrounds a footballing legend such as Messi.
Editorial and Fact-Checking Note
This article separates confirmed facts and unsubstantiated gossip regarding Lionel Messi’s potential return to Newell’s Old Boys and retirement from Argentina. The above article does not confirm that a transfer to Newell’s Old Boys has been agreed, that negotiations have begun or that an official retirement statement has been issued by either Messi or the AFA.
Sources and verification: Sources relevant to the above article for future reference include official statements from Inter Miami, Newell’s Old Boys, the AFA and FIFA, and any potential future developments. Information should be independently verified prior to publication or amendment.
Editorial standards: This article was written with South African readers in mind and makes a distinction between facts and unsubstantiated gossip. Quotations have been attributed where applicable, although no direct quotes have been used in this piece.
Corrections policy: Wherever materially incorrect information appears, it will be amended as soon as it is brought to the editor’s attention. This article may be amended if reliable evidence or an official statement alters the position described above.
