‘Big chance’ – Lionel Messi tipped for Newell’s Old Boys reunion in 2024
Robin Bairner
- 2 Oct 2023 11:56 BST
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi could rediscover his childhood club Newell’s Old Boys in 2024, with Inter Miami seeking to arrange a friendly between the Argentine side and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s new side.
Messi played for Newell’s as a youth between 1995 and 2000 before completing a move to Barcelona and has long spoken of his desire to one day move back to his homeland to conclude his career.
In the meantime, the Argentine is impressing in MLS, where he has started his career explosively with Inter Miami.
MORE: Messi 'interested' in Real Madrid star joining him at Inter Miami
He could, nevertheless, be offered a reunion with Newell’s in the form of a friendly, with TyCSports reporting that there is a “big chance” of a deal being done that will see Tata Martino’s outfit tackling Gabriel Heinze’s South Americans.
The Argentine source reports: “In Rosario they are optimistic and believe that there is a big chance that Newell’s will be able to carry out a friendly encounter against Leo's team, which since his arrival has won the Leagues Cup and recently lost the US Open Cup. In Florida, for their part, they recognise the negotiation to take place in January or February 2024.”
MORE: World's most expensive season ticket - Messi's arrival sees prices soar
Inter Miami v Newell's Old Boys
The friendly will likely be played in Florida, with the possibility of a money-spinning deal given the interest that will doubtless surround this encounter.
It is said that former Barcelona boss Tata Martino is pushing for the match given that he also has a close relationship with Newell’s.
According to the South American source, there are still “several details to polish”, but the prospect of a match being arranged is very real.
Messi, meanwhile, is back in training after a recent muscular problem and could feature again for Inter Miami when they take on the Chicago Fire on Wednesday in a vital MLS encounter for their playoff hopes.
