Lionel Messi not planning Newell's Old Boys return as he targets Inter Miami stay until 2028

Lionel Messi is not planning a return to Newell's Old Boys and is 'fully focused' on Inter Miami.

Messi has been linked with a move back to the Argentine club, where he spent time in the club's academy before moving to Barcelona as a teenager.

The 39-year-old is currently with MLS side Inter Miami, where he is the division's top scorer with 25 goals in 2026.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that there are no negotiations taking place over a move back to the Argentina, despite recent reports.

Romano added that Messi intends to see out his current contract with Inter Miami, which runs until 2028, and that the Argentina captain could stay in Florida even longer than that.

Any decision on extending his time in MLS beyond 2028 is set to be made further down the line. Romano also pointed to the situation away from the pitch as a key factor, with Messi's family settled in the United States.

Messi has scored 106 goals in 122 games for Inter Miami, since signing for the American side from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has no plans to retire from club football currently, having called time on his international career earlier this year. The 2022 World Cup winner retired from Argentina duty after a record-breaking 126 goals in 203 caps.