Newell's Old Boys presidential candidate explains what needs to happen for Messi to return

Martin Macdonald
Martin Macdonald
  • 16 Dec 2025 09:30 CST
  • 5 min read
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, 2025
© IMAGO

A Newell's Old Boys presidential candidate has explained what needs to happen for Lionel Messi to complete an emotional return to his boyhood club.

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Before he became the worldwide superstar we all know at Barcelona, the Argentine was a youngster making waves in Rosario.

Newell's developed him before he and his family made the brave decision to move to Spain so Messi could be part of La Masia.

The club has a place in Messi's heart and there has been continued speculation that he may, one day, return.

That is looking unlikely at the moment as he recently signed a three-year extension with Inter Miami.

But, Guillermo Munoz, a candidate to be president of the Newell's, says all Messi needs to do is express a desire to return.

“First we have to see if Messi is eager to connect with Newell's," Munoz told TNT Sports.

“I may really want Messi to come, but it's not enough to just say, 'someday, someday.' I see Messi and he makes me cry. But that doesn't mean he's above the club at all.”

Two figures who did help Newell's out in a time of need was Diego Maradona and Tata Martino.

But, Munoz insists there is no pressure on Messi to return.

“One day, Maradona said: ‘I’m going to play in Newell's,'" Munoz explained.

"One day Tata Martino said: ‘I’m going to lend a hand in Newell's.'

"Messi has no commitment or obligation to Newell's. But if he really wants to come, he'd have to say so.”

Messi is tied to Inter Miami until 2028.

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