Lionel Messi's Boyhood Club Planning for MLS Star's Return in 'First Half' of 2027, VP Says

Lionel Messi could be returning to play for the first club he ever suited up for.

Juan Manuel Medina, vice president of Newell's Old Boys, told Argentine media outlet TN (h/t The Athletic's Jessica Hopkins) that they are looking to get Messi to return in the "first half" of 2027.

"We are working on Leo playing for Newell's in the first half of 2027. 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 has been talking about hoping to get the chance to play for Newell's again for years. Here is what he said about the subject back in 2017:

"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."

Hopkins noted MLS will have a "transition season" in 2027 that will run from February to May as the league moves to align its calendar with European club schedules.

Messi began his youth career playing for Newell's between the ages of of six to 13. There are various stories about how many goals he actually scored for the club, but one study of records during that time has pegged him as having netted 234 goals in 176 matches.

Some have pegged Messi's goal total with Newell's as being closer to 500. The club announced on June 24—Messi's 38th birthday—that it was naming a new stand at Coloso Marcelo Bielsa stadium after the iconic star.

Messi's talent level was so high that he never played for Newell's senior club. He transferred to La Masia, the youth academy for Barcelona, in 2000 before starting his senior career three years later.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent the past three years playing for Inter Miami in MLS. He led the club to its first MLS Cup title in December, two months after signing a contract extension that will keep him with Miami through 2028.