Lionel Messi’s future remains a topic of intense speculation as his contract with Inter Miami nears its expiration at the end of the MLS season. While the 37-year-old football icon has a 12-month extension option with the South Florida club, Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s boyhood club in Rosario, Argentina, is making a bold case for his return. The club’s president, Ignacio Astore, has expressed confidence that Messi’s heart is already set on returning to the institution where his remarkable journey began.
Astore, speaking to TyC Sports, acknowledged the delicate nature of Messi’s situation. “It’s something he has to decide,” Astore said. “I haven’t spoken to the player. I don’t think it’s appropriate to speak to him because it would put him in an awkward position. Maybe he has a contract, maybe he feels it’s not the right time, maybe he has other family commitments… I know the appreciation he has for the institution and how much he wants to come.” Despite not engaging directly with Messi, Astore’s comments reflect a deep belief in the player’s emotional connection to Newell’s, where he played as a youth before moving to Barcelona in 2000.
The pull of Messi’s homeland is not limited to Newell’s. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is also eager to see the nation’s greatest-ever player return. AFA president Claudio Tapia is reportedly “working permanently” to make this dream a reality. Astore, in an interview with Radio Con Vos, highlighted the titles Messi has yet to win in Argentina: “Messi is missing a Copa Argentina, a Copa Sudamericana, and a Libertadores, because he has all the other titles. It’s his decision.” The prospect of adding these domestic and continental honors could be a significant draw for the World Cup winner.
Messi’s potential return to Rosario would also set the stage for a historic moment in Argentine football. His former international teammate and close friend, Ángel Di María, recently joined rival club Rosario Central. Astore sees this as an opportunity for the city to shine, stating, “It would be glorious if both Di María and Lionel Messi play in the city, so that we can show that the city can live in peace with the two idols of Argentine soccer. I hope that happens, I don’t see it as dramatic as most see it. We can live in peace.”
While Messi is widely expected to stay with Inter Miami, particularly as the United States prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, the allure of returning to Newell’s Old Boys remains strong. The club and its fans are banking on Messi’s deep-rooted connection to Rosario and his expressed desire to end his career in Argentina. Until an official decision is announced, Newell’s will continue to dream of welcoming their prodigal son home.