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Inter Miami deal until 2028
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Newell Old Boys’ vice-president Juan Manuel Medina has stated that the Argentinian club are working on a deal to bring Lionel Messi back to his boyhood club. The 38-year-old progressed through the youth ranks at the Rosario-based club between six and 13 before famously joining Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia club.
In October, Messi penned a new contract at Inter Miami until 2028 and he’s more than happy with his life in Florida. But Medina has claimed that Newell is hopeful of bringing the Argentina captain back to the club in early 2027. “We are working on Leo playing for Newell’s in the first half of 2027 but for now there’s nothing more than that,” Medina told Argentina publication TN. “It depends on what we can offer in terms of infrastructure and on putting together a competitive sporting setup . It was discussed, the idea was put forward, but there was no decision. It’s a project that goes beyond Newell’s. It’s a project for the city of Rosario, the province, and Argentine football.”
Will Messi return to Newell Old Boys?
As previously mentioned, Messi is contracted at Miami until 2028 but there’s been speculation that he could join Newell on-loan for the first half of 2027 - as suggested by Medina. However, the MLS is planning a ‘transition season’ between February and May 2027 ahead of changing their competition schedule to align with other major leagues from that summer. So the parameters of the potential deal remain unclear, as does the likelihood of it being feasible given Miami’s investment in the eight-time Balon d’Or winner.
Messi, however, has spoken of his desire to return to Newell one day but cast doubt on it due to prioritising the safety and happiness of his family. Speaking in 2017, Messi told Marca: “I’ve said many times that 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. 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.”
