‘He is seriously considering the possibility’ – Sergio Aguero speculates Lionel Messi’s return to Newell's Old Boys

ByJames Hilsum

Published 25/02/2023 at 14:12 GMT

Sergio Aguero has lifted the lid on where he thinks Lionel Messi could be playing next season. The Argentina captain is in the final year of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, and a series of suitors have been linked with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner. Messi could leave for MLS side, Inter Miami or make an emotional return back to Barcelona. However, Aguero added another club to the mix.

Sergio Aguero has teased Lionel Messi’s next club and revealed that the Argentina captain could return to boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.

Messi’s Paris-Saint Germain contract expires at the end of the season, but the French champions face a fight against the likes of Inter Miami and Barcelona to keep his services.

Reports last month emerged that Messi is unwilling to sign a new deal at the Parc des Princes, with Marca claiming that: “winning more titles in France or even another Champions League would not motivate him enough.”

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They added that Barca were the most likely next destination for Messi, ahead of what would be an emotional return back to the Camp Nou.

However, a new club has entered the fray after Messi’s former Albiceleste team-mate Aguero explaining that a move back to where it all began for the 35-year-old is a distinct possibility.

Speaking to UOL, the former Manchester City striker said: “He is seriously considering the possibility of playing for Newell's.”

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Former Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez was quick to quell Aguero’s claims and added: “Kun is Kun. He can't keep quiet. We will see.

“It is hard to talk about this because then a giant ball of rumours is made. Let's wait and see what happens. We will not get ahead of the facts.”

The Daily Mail claims that Messi could play in a testimonial for Rodriguez later this year, to commemorate his exploits across three spells for Newell’s

There are reports that the game could be used to test the water ahead of a potential return to club football in Argentina for Messi.

Messi progressed through the youth ranks at Newell’s before leaving for Barcelona to join the Catalans’ famous La Masia academy.

Aguero has been close friends with Messi for almost 20 years and even shared a room with the Argentina skipper ahead of last year’s World Cup final, despite already retiring due to a heart condition.

Galtier: "Are you making fun of me?" as pressure mounts in Paris

For now, Messi’s focus is firmly on PSG, who face Marseille in a huge top-of-the-table clash in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Christophe Galtier’s side currently sit five points clear of the Olympians and head into the match after a dramatic 4-3 win over Lille, as Messi netted a stoppage-time winner from a free-kick.

Messi has played an integral role in PSG’s season after scoring 16 goals and registering 14 assists in 27 appearances across all competitions so far this campaign.

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