NEWELL’S OLD BOYS president Eduardo Bermudez says Lionel Messi is welcome back at the club at any age.
His comments come after the Barcelona skipper – who started his boyhood career at the Argentine club – scored against Osasuna before unveiling Diego Maradona’s No10 on the back of a Newell’s shirt.
Lionel Messi unveiled an old Newell’s Old Boys No10 shirt in memory of the late, great Diego Maradona after scoring against OsasunaCredit: Getty Images
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Bermudez said: “I am very happy with Messi’s attitude , for us he is a maximum idol.
“He is an excellent person who loves Newell’s. Hopefully one day, no matter how old, when he decides, we can have him here. Here we love him the same as Maradona.
“It is a great emotion to be president of this club. Here we have adoration for Messi , I had no doubt that because of the love he has for Newell’s he would have a similar attitude although he did not expect this. It has been tremendous.
“It seems unwise to me to give an opinion when he is in another club. Come or not come, we love it.
“He is a very loved person throughout the city of Rosario. Hopefully that happens”
Messi, a boyhood Newell’s fan, started the early part of his youth career at the club in Rosario before getting picked up by the La Masia academy as a 14-year-old.
Between the age of 6-12 Messi scored 234 goals in 176 games for Newell’s, according to a former employee.
And on Maradona’s Newell’s debut, a six-year-old Messi was brought on to the pitch at half-time to do tricks for the crowd.
Newell’s would face stiff competition to secure a fairytale reunion, with Manchester City still keen on bringing Messi to the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola worked with Messi during his four-year stint as Barcelona manager between 2008-12.
Guardiola with Messi at his disposal was able to win three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Copa del Reys, two Super Cups and two FIFA World Cups.
Man City are believed to be looking to do a deal for Messi in January after the club’s failed attempts to lure him away in the summer.
According to ESPN, the long-term contract could see Messi stay in the Premier League for three years before moving to partner MLS club New York City FC.
Watch Messi and Maradona’s eerily similar goals for Barcelona and Newell’s Old Boys as Barcelona star honours icon
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
