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Lionel Messi set for emotional Newell's Old Boys reunion next year

Lionel Messi set for emotional Newell's Old Boys reunion next year

Lionel Messi came through the ranks at Newell's Old Boys before moving on to Barcelona.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Lionel Messi is set for an emotional reunion with boyhood club Newell's Old Boys next year, according to reports.

Messi has represented Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and current club Inter Miami in his illustrious carer but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner started out at Newell's back in his hometown of Rosario.

Messi spent his early days tearing up for the Newell's youth team and it's claimed that he scored an insane 234 goals in 176 games between the ages of six and 12.

He then signed with Barcelona and moved to the famed La Masia academy.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

The 36-year-old has spoken before about finishing his career with Newell's and though that could still happen, fresh reports from Argentina claim he will come up against them in the near future.

Gaston Edul from TyC Sports says Inter Miami and Newell's have confirmed a friendly fixture.

It will happen on February 17 and looks set to take place at the DRV PNK Stadium.

Messi has never represented Newell's at first-team level but he did pull on their shirt as a tribute to the late Diego Maradona after scoring for Barcelona in November 2020.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

He also received an incredible reception at the Estadio Coloso Del Parque Marcelo Bielsa on his birthday earlier this year when he turned out against a Newell's XI in Maxi Rodriguez's testimonial.

The friendly will be even more special for Inter boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who has a strong association with Newell's.

He played more than 400 times as a player and managed them for a single season before linking up with Messi at Barcelona and the Argentina national team.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

The Herons have also announced friendlies in China against Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng in November.

The games come after Inter failed to make the MLS play-offs.

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Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lionel Messi, Newell's Old Boys, Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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