Is Lionel Messi leaving Inter Miami to go to Newell’s Old Boys?

The Estadio Marcelo Bielsa in Rosario might be about to get a new star: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been linked with a sensational move back home to where it all began: Newell’s Old Boys.

Catalan media outlet El Nacional has reported that the Argentine has no plans to retire after leaving Inter Miami, probably when his contract expires in 2025, instead looking to join Newell’s Old Boys.

“Specifically, Messi’s wish is to hang up his boots at the first professional club he played for... he had to leave the club at just 13-years-old to play for Barcelona, who were prepared to play for growth treatment”, writes the report.

Will Lionel Messi sign a new contract with Inter Miami?

Messi’s contract, as mentioned, expires in December 2025. At the time of writing, nothing has been made public about his desire to renew with the MLS club.

In fact, Messi told media back in 2016 that “If I go back to Argentina tomorrow, which I would love, the club I would play for would be Newell’s”.

Messi spent five years of his youth at Newell’s from 1995 to 2000, and is one of the many names who went on to become a world star in the game. Others include Gabriel Batistuta, Maxi Rodríguez, Lionel Scaloni, Marcelo Bielsa and of course, Diego Armando Maradona.

For now, the challenge remains for Messi at Inter Miami, who are top of the Eastern Conference standings in MLS and have the Supporters’ Shield trophy, as well as a possible points record, in their sights. However, a couple of recent draws have thrown other sides into the mix, and their success is in no way guaranteed.

Inter Miami’s next fixture is against Charlotte in the MLS race, which takes place on Saturday 28 September at 7:30pm ET kick-off scheduled at Chase Stadium.