A good number of South American footballers enjoy returning to their boyhood clubs to complete the final stretch of their professional careers, but it is unlikely that Lionel Messi joins the trend, as things stand.
A report from Fabrizio Romano has quelled rumours of the 39-year-old being in talks with Newell's Old Boys over a return to the club.
The Argentinean great has been linked with a return to his childhood club for a last hurrah, having conquered Europe and the MLS.
Executives from the Rosario-based side have publicly expressed their ambition to construct a deal for him to play for them, but it looks highly unlikely.
'No Newell's return planned': Romano reveals immediate Messi plans
In a post on social media, journalist Romano revealed that Messi is not working on a move back to Argentina, at this time.
He reiterated that the former Barcelona man has a contract until 2028 with Inter Miami, and intends to stay at the club until the end of that deal, at least.
The former Argentina international is satisfied with life in Florida and is settled with his family in the city, making it unlikely that he leaves Inter Miami.
He has not revealed whether he plans to retire by 2028 or not, leaving the possibility of a new deal with the MLS club on the table, as well.
His children are enrolled in the Inter Miami academy and he appears content with life in the MLS.
Following in the footsteps of Otamendi? Messi's Newell's connection
Argentina icon Nicolas Otamendi retired from the national team along with Messi after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and has since returned to his country to play for River Plate.
He joined a lengthy list of Argentine stars who decided to return to their country in their 30s, including Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez, and several others.
Like them, Messi could be tempted to play for a while in Argentina due to his undying love for his country, evidenced by over two decades of representing La Albiceleste.
The only realistic option for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner would be Newell's Old Boys, the club where it all began for him.
He grew up playing football with his older brothers Rodrigo and Matias in Rosario, a football-mad city that houses Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central.
His family supported the former, and it was where he took his first steps in organised football at any level.
He was tied to the club for six years between 1995 and 2000, playing for the youth teams while until he was 13 years old and moved to Barcelona.
He never got to play a single game for his boyhood club but has never hidden his fondness for the club throughout his career, even claiming that he looks forward to ending his career with them.
Multiple club executives have spoken over the years about how they would like for him to return for a spell there someday, but such a move has yet to materialise.
The project aims to bring him to the club and the city where it all began, but reports clarify that formal, direct negotiations with Messi or his representatives have not taken place.
