Lionel Messi has agreed to return to a former club while still under contract with Inter Miami.
The move does not involve FC Barcelona, despite ongoing rumors about a reunion between Messi and the Blaugrana.
Instead, Messi is set to return to Argentina, where his professional career began.
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Messi set for emotional Newell’s Old Boys return
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to return to Newell’s Old Boys, the club where he played as a youth before joining Barcelona.
The plan is for Messi to join Newell’s on a six-month loan from January 2027 to June 2027, before returning to Inter Miami, where he is contracted until 2028.
Ignacio Boero, the president of Newell’s, has reportedly been key in the negotiations, which have been ongoing for several months.
Security talks and Inter Miami agreement key to deal
A significant issue in past discussions involved concerns about security for Messi and his family in Rosario, where Newell’s is located.
Boero has spoken with Santa Fe governor Maximiliano Pullaro to develop a security plan to ensure Messi’s safety.
This arrangement will not affect Messi’s long-term future in Major League Soccer, as he is expected to return to Inter Miami after his time in Argentina.
While the agreement is not yet finalized and depends on Messi’s decision, it would allow him to reconnect with his roots while keeping his current MLS career intact.