Lionel Messiboyhood club, Newell’s Old BoysHe made headlines this week when his vice-president made public his plans to bring the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner back to his old stomping grounds in 2027.
After first signing for the club in his hometown Rosario, Argentina at the age of six, Messi spent his formative years in the youth ranks. barcelona And quickly transformed into one of the game’s greatest players.
Messi is currently 38 years old and is acting for of MLS Side inter miami. yet it Newell hasn’t stopped dreaming A fairy tale comeback.
To be fair to Newell, there is precedent. In recent years several players have moved on to their former clubs for the last time: sergio ramos Re-signed for Sevilla; Carlos Tevez rejoins Boca Juniors; Luis Suarez Returned to boyhood club Nacional in 2022 before reuniting with Messi in Miami.
Where might the next romantic football return come from? With Valentine’s Day approaching, there’s no better time to consider some potential homecomings in the years to come.
Lionel Messi, Newell’s Old Boys
Messi left Newell’s Old Boys to join Barça as a teenager in 2000, but the Argentine star has spoken warmly of his childhood club on several occasions, most notably in 2017 when he admitted he still had a long-standing desire to play for the club again.
“I have said many times that my dream is to play in Nouvelles, but I don’t know what will happen,” He told TYC Sports.
It is now being reported that Newell’s have discussed a proposed deal that would see Messi join his old club on a six-month loan in January 2027 before returning to Inter Miami in June, perhaps he will finally get his wish.
Ronaldo’s future Saudi Pro League There is reportedly uncertainty after he decided to sit out al nassarstruggle against al riyadh. portugal The captain is said to be unhappy with his club’s transfer activity, and multiple reports suggest he has a €44 million release clause in his contract this summer.
With his goal of 1,000 career goals, if he leaves Saudi Arabia, where will he go? an emotional comeback Sporting CP Would be a romantic answer.
Ronaldo has previously said that his time in European football is over – he has won everything there is to win – but could he be tempted to rejoin Sporting, where he began his senior career almost 25 years ago?
His mother, Dolores Aveiro, is certainly in favor of it. In 2021, he told a podcast that his dream was to see his son return to sporting.
“Ronaldo has to come back here,” said Aveiro, a big Sporting fan. “If it were my choice, he would already be here. He loves watching sporting games. I have already told him: ‘Son, before I die, I want to see you return to sporting.’ He says: ‘Let’s see’: but if it can’t be him, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr!”
For what it’s worth, Sporting took note send happy birthday wishes To wish him a happy 41st birthday on social media.
Flamengo are no strangers to reunions. The club sealed a marquee return for lucas paqueta From West Ham Last month, and sporting director Jose Boto raised eyebrows when he joked during Paqueta’s unveiling that a certain fellow academy graduate was next on his list.
“After this, we’ll talk to Vinnie Jr.’s staff,” Botto quipped. brazil The star would be willing to let his contract expire real Madrid.
Vinicius joined Flamengo at the age of six, making 50 appearances for the club before moving to Madrid in 2018. With questions raised over the 25-year-old’s immediate future at the Bernabeu, perhaps now is the time for Flamengo to strike.
Griezmann never got the chance to play for his childhood club, Lyon. His closest experience to date as a young player was a failed academy trial. Instead, he went to Spain and was picked up real sociedad. he went to sign Atletico MadridBecame the fifth most expensive transfer of all time barcelona And then back to Atleti, where the 34-year-old is once again plying his trade.
However, what a great move it would be for Griezmann to wear the Lyon jersey before he retires. He has only played one game at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium in his career, making his Champions League debut with Sociedad in 2013.
“For me, Lyon has been my club since I was a kid,” he said before kick-off. “I used to come here with my father to watch all the Champions League matches.”
“The moment I stepped onto the Stade de Gerland pitch, I felt a lot of emotions. I even pointed out the places in the stands where I used to sit. I can’t wait until I put on my boots tomorrow, but there are no feelings of revenge: I just want to play.”
Casemiro recently announced his decision to end his tenure Manchester United When his contract expires this summer.
While his next destination remains to be seen, Casemiro could potentially have the option of returning home to Sao Paulo, the Brazilian club he represented from the age of 10 until he was 20, when real MadridCastilla Academy came calling.
The 33-year-old is believed to have never spoken publicly about his desire to re-sign for Sao Paulo, but it is worth noting that he is very grateful to the Tricolor Paulista – not least the nickname he has been wearing on the back of his shirt for more than two decades.
The midfielder’s full name is Carlos Henrique José Francisco Venancio Casemiro, but he has worn “Casmiro” on his shirts since the São Paulo side misspelled his surname during his first appearance for the club.
Casemiro reportedly performed brilliantly in the game and thus decided not to correct the name on his jersey due to superstition, meaning he has been playing in the wrong printed shirt ever since!
Romelu LukakuHis youth career did not start at Anderlecht, but his senior career certainly took off. He was on the books of Lierse SK before the club was relegated in 2006, meaning Lukaku was one of 13 youth players sent to Anderlecht.
What kind of step was taken? Lukaku made his senior debut for the club in 2006 and spent four years there before joining chelsea in 2011. Now, at 32, experienced belgium playing for international napoli In Italy But he has said on several occasions that he would like to wear the purple jersey of Anderlecht once again before retiring.
Lukaku still has 18 months on his contract at Napoli, but Belgian news outlet Het Nieuwsblad It is reported that he may be ready for a grand homecoming after 2026 world cup.
