Lionel Messi could be set for a storybook return to his footballing roots in 2027, after Newell's Old Boys' vice president publicly confirmed the Argentine club's ambitious plans to re-sign their most famous son.
Vice President Reveals 2027 Project
Juan Manuel Medina, vice president of Newell's Old Boys, has revealed that the Rosario-based club are actively working on a project to bring Lionel Messi back to his boyhood team in the first half of 2027. Speaking to Argentine publication TN, Medina framed the potential move as something transcending mere football.
"We are working on Leo playing for Newell's in the first half of 2027," Medina stated. "It's a project that goes beyond Newell's. It's a project for the city of Rosario, the province, and Argentine football. It all depends on what we can offer in terms of infrastructure and a competitive sports program."
Messi's Long-Stated Dream
The potential move aligns perfectly with Messi's own publicly expressed desires. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has previously described returning to Newell's Old Boys to finish his career as his "dream", a sentiment he shared in a 2017 interview. Messi spent approximately six formative years in Newell's youth academy after joining at just six years old, before his legendary move to Barcelona's La Masia.
Now 38 and seemingly winding down his unparalleled career at MLS side Inter Miami, where he recently renewed his contract until 2028, the timing of a 2027 return could create a perfect narrative arc. Messi turns 39 in June 2026 and is expected to lead defending champions Argentina at the upcoming World Cup in North America.
A Club That Worships Its Hero
Newell's Old Boys have already immortalised Messi's connection to the club in tangible ways. They have named a stand at their home ground, the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, in honour of the forward, demonstrating the deity-like status he holds in Rosario. The emotional pull of a return is therefore immense.
The clubs have maintained a connection in recent years, with Messi featuring for Inter Miami in a friendly against Newell's in February 2024 that ended in a 1-1 draw. This kept the bond between player and club alive.
Career Filled With Unprecedented Success
Messi's potential return would cap a career of almost unimaginable success. His trophy cabinet includes:
- 12 league titles across Spain and France
- Four UEFA Champions League victories
- Two Copa America triumphs
- The elusive FIFA World Cup crown won in 2022
- Most recently, the 2025 MLS Cup with Inter Miami
He also made MLS history by becoming the first player to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards. A return to Newell's would represent a poignant full-circle moment, bringing the greatest footballer of his generation back to where it all began, provided the club can present a compelling sporting and infrastructural project to facilitate the dream move.
