Lionel Messi has accepted that Inter Miami will be his ‘last club’ – ending any hopes that he would conclude his legendary career at Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi, 36, played in Newell’s youth ranks and it was reported last year by Catalonian publication El Nacional that he would return to the club in 2025.
But the Argentine star has scuppered that claim in an interview with ESPN Argentina, adding that there is ‘fear’ over his looming retirement.
‘I’ve done this all my life, I enjoy the training sessions, the games,’ he said.
‘The fear that it’s all over is always there.’
Lionel Messi is embraced by Newell’s Old Boys players after a preseason friendly vs. Miami
Messi returned to the Argentina team sheet on Sunday night for a friendly against Ecuador
Newell’s were the first professional team Messi joined at the age of six, with the future Ballon d’Or winner spending five years with the Rosario-based club before moving onto Barcelona.
Miami hosted Newell’s in a preseason friendly this winter, and Messi was unsurprisingly embraced by players of his former club after the match.
Messi is under contract with Inter Miami until December 2025, after signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the club in July 2023.
This season, Messi is firing on all cylinders in MLS, with 12 goals and 13 assists in just 12 league matches.
Messi also ‘questioned his participation’ in the 2026 World Cup, according to ESPN, though the No. 10 is set to participate in the Copa America for his country this summer.
He suited up for La Albiceleste for the first time in six months earlier this week as Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in a friendly.
He replaced Angel Di Maria after 58 minutes in the match, which came 10 days before Argentina’s Copa America opener vs. Canada.
