Lionel Messi is all set to face his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys as an Inter Miami player. Ever since Messi arrived at Inter Miami, the MLS side has gained significant fame and exposure. As a result, Inter Miami is receiving rich dividends on their $150 million investment in Messi. Similarly, the club is planning to milk Messi’s exposure even more by arranging a friendly against his boyhood club.
According to the reputed Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Inter Miami is in talks about playing a friendly against Newell’s Old Boys in Miami. While the exact date of the match isn’t confirmed yet, it’s reportedly going to be held in January or February. It will be an emotional match for Lionel Messi, who had joined Newell’s Old Boys when he was just six years old.
The end is near
— Richie OG 🏛️ (@RichieOG8) September 29, 2023
After playing at Newell’s for around six to seven years, Messi finally left the club and joined FC Barcelona. As soon as the news about the upcoming friendly reached the Internet, soccer fans were in a frenzy. While some fans are happy at Messi’s reunion with his former club, others feel it would be a retirement game. One fan even wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) “The end is near.“
Here are some reactions from fans:
While fans are convinced that Inter Miami versus Newell’s Old Boys would be Lionel Messi’s retirement game, FC Barcelona is planning to organize a separate farewell match for their former skipper. As previously stated by President Joan Laporta, Barca would be organizing a tribute match for Messi sometime in the future. However, fans would have to wait until the renovation of the Nou Camp stadium is completed.
Lionel Messi wants to end his career at Newell’s Old Boys
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has confessed that he wants to play one last time for his boyhood club before hanging up his boots. The Inter Miami skipper has spent almost the last two decades for elite European clubs like FC Barcelona and PSG. However, his love for Newell’s Old Boys remains intact.
Leo Messi: “I always had an idea of being able to enjoy Argentine football, of playing for Newell’s and now even more so being a world champion.….” pic.twitter.com/bMmgxlevy8
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) September 21, 2023
Back in an interview with Telefe’s Polemica en el Bar in 2016, Messi expressed his desire to return to Newell’s Old Boys. Even in his most recent interview with the Argentine journalist Migue Granados, Messi again talked about how his wish to play in Argentina again has been even more heightened after winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.
Lionel Messi, however, recently returned to Newell’s stadium during his former Argentine teammate Maxi Rodriguez’s testimonial match. The 36-year-old star scored a hat trick in front of the packed stadium. It was also a special occasion for Messi, as it was held on his 36th birthday.