LIONEL MESSI’S dream return to Newell’s Old Boys could be at risk due to safety issues in Argentina.
That’s according to his cousin Maxi Biancucchi, who claims the superstar’s childhood city of Rosario has become “hell.”
Lionel Messi’s dream return to Newell’s Old Boys could be over due to safety fears in ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
Messi began his football adventure at Newell’s in 1994 and scored almost 500 goals before joining Barcelona in 2001.
He has gone on to score 627 goals in 718 games for the Catalan giants, winning ten LaLigas and four Champions Leagues in the process.
But Messi, who turns 33 this summer, has made no secret of his desire to retire at Newell’s, with his contract expiring in 2021.
However, Biancucchi reckons there may not be a dream return for his cousin due to safety and security fears in Rosario.
He told Radio Club Octubre: “If it was not for the safety issues in the county, I would have no doubts about saying he will return to Argentina to play.
“For me, and I have not spoken with him about it, those safety issues could affect his decision to come back.
“It is my dream to see him play for Newell’s but it’s complicated.
“Imagine if he has to play in a Clasico between Newell’s and Rosario Central, and the kids have to go to school…
“It’s difficult. The city is hell. [However] the roots he has in Argentina and the love he has for the country is something people don’t quite understand.
“He’s always branded as being Spanish but he’s really Argentine, in his own way.
“He goes to Argentina for his holidays, he got married in Rosario.”
Mbappe names Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol ahead of Lionel Messi and World Cup final goal vs Croatia was his favourite
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
