Lionel Messi Bombshell Drops as Vice President Confirms Club Working to Sign Him

A vice club president has suggested that his team are working on a deal to bring Lionel Messi to the club for the “first half of 2027”.

When Lionel Messi signed a new deal at Inter Miami, which will keep him at the MLS side until June 2028, many thought that the agreement all but confirmed that the 38-year-old would finish his career in the US.

However, this may not be the case.

The vice president of Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, has revealed that the Argentinian side is working on potentially bringing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to the side for the 2027 season.

Despite never playing at a senior level for the Rosario club, Messi came through the ranks at the side before moving to Barcelona at the age of 13 when he joined La Masia.

“We are working on Leo playing for Newell’s in the first half of 2027,” club president Juan Manuel Medina told TN.

Lionel Messi is contracted to Inter Miami until 2028 (Credit:Getty)

The MLS will use the first half of the 2027 campaign, between February and May, as a “transition season”, allowing the league to align with top leagues around the world.

The league currently runs from February to December. The transition season will run from February to May 2027, featuring 14 regular-season games, play-offs and the MLS Cup.

Starting in the summer of 2027, the MLS will adopt a summer-to-spring season format.

“It’s a project that goes beyond Newell’s,” he added. “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.”

Of course, Messi was born in the city of Rosario and has previously spoken about playing for Newell’s as something he sees as a “dream”.

Lionel Messi grew up supporting Newell's Old Boys (Credit:Getty)

“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,” Messi told Marca in 2017.

“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.”

Messi scored 234 goals for Newell’s academy and has a stand named after him at their ground, Estadio Marcelo A. Bielsa.

The side are currently bottom of the Argentine Primera División Group A after three games this term.

Other notable former players who have represented the club include Benfica legend Oscar Cardozo, ex-Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez, and former Juventus striker David Trezeguet.