Messi linked to Newell’s; Ronaldo rumored to join Sporting: Possible nostalgic comebacks in soccer.

This week, Lionel Messi’s childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, made headlines as their vice president revealed intentions to bring the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner back to his former club in 2027.

Messi began his journey with the club in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, at the age of six, where he developed in their youth system before being recruited by Barcelona, ultimately becoming one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Now 38 and currently playing for MLS team Inter Miami, Messi has not deterred Newell’s from envisioning a storybook return.

Newell’s has a history of such comebacks. In recent years, several players have returned to their former teams for a final chapter: Sergio Ramos rejoined Sevilla; Carlos Tevez went back to Boca Juniors; Luis Suárez made a return to his boyhood club Nacional in 2022 before reuniting with Messi in Miami.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is an opportune moment to consider potential future homecomings in football.

Lionel Messi, Newell’s Old Boys

Messi departed Newell’s Old Boys to join Barcelona as a teenager in 2000, yet he has often expressed fondness for his early club, particularly in 2017 when he revealed a persistent wish to play there again.

“I’ve mentioned many times that my dream is to play at Newell’s, but I am uncertain about what the future holds,” he stated in an interview with TyC Sports.

With reports indicating that Newell’s has explored a potential agreement for Messi to join the club on a six-month loan in January 2027 before returning to Inter Miami in June, his dream may be within reach.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting CP

Ronaldo’s prospects in the Saudi Pro League appear uncertain after he opted to miss Al Nassr’s match against Al Riyadh. The Portugal captain is reportedly dissatisfied with his club’s transfer activities, and various sources suggest he has a €44 million release clause in his contract this summer.

With his goal of reaching 1,000 career goals still attainable, if he were to depart Saudi Arabia, a sentimental return to Sporting CP could be a fitting option.

Ronaldo has previously stated that his time in European football is concluded — having achieved everything possible — but could he be persuaded to reunite with Sporting, where he began his professional career nearly 25 years ago?

His mother, Dolores Aveiro, certainly supports the idea. In 2021, she expressed on a podcast her desire to see her son return to Sporting.

“Ronaldo must come back here,” Aveiro, a devoted Sporting supporter, remarked. “If it were up to me, he would already be here. He enjoys watching Sporting matches. I’ve told him: ‘Son, before I pass away, I want to see you return to Sporting’. He replies: ‘We’ll see’: But if not him, then Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.!”

Notably, Sporting made a point of sending warm birthday wishes to him on social media to celebrate his 41st birthday.

Vinícius Júnior, Flamengo

Flamengo is familiar with player reunions. The club recently secured a high-profile return for Lucas Paquetá from West Ham, and sporting director Jose Boto raised eyebrows when he humorously suggested during Paquetá’s unveiling that they might next approach a certain fellow academy graduate.

“Next, we will speak with Vini Jr’s representatives,” Boto joked, adding that Flamengo might avoid a transfer fee if the Brazilian star is willing to let his contract with Real Madrid expire.

Vinícius joined Flamengo at six years old, making 50 appearances for the club before transferring to Madrid in 2018. With uncertainty surrounding the 25-year-old’s immediate future at the Bernabeu, this could be an opportune moment for Flamengo to act.

Antoine Griezmann, Lyon

Griezmann never had the chance to play for his childhood club, Lyon. His closest experience was an unsuccessful trial at the academy as a youth. Instead, he moved to Spain and was signed by Real Sociedad. He later joined Atlético Madrid, becoming the fifth-most expensive transfer in history at Barcelona, before returning to Atleti, where the 34-year-old is currently playing.

However, it would be a significant move for Griezmann to wear a Lyon jersey before his career concludes. He has played just one match at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, making his Champions League debut with Sociedad in 2013.

“For me, Lyon has been my club since childhood,” he stated before the match. “I used to attend all the Champions League games here with my father.”

“When I stepped onto the Stade de Gerland pitch, I felt a surge of emotions. I even pointed out the spots in the stands where I used to sit. I am eager to put my boots on tomorrow, but there is no sense of revenge: I simply want to play.”

Casemiro, São Paulo

Casemiro recently declared his intention to conclude his time at Manchester United when his contract expires this summer.

While his next move remains uncertain, Casemiro could potentially return to his roots with São Paulo, the Brazilian club he represented from ages 10 to 20, before Real Madrid’s Castilla academy came calling.

Although the 33-year-old has never publicly expressed a desire to rejoin São Paulo, it is noteworthy that he owes a great deal to the Tricolour Paulista — including the nickname he has carried on his shirt for over two decades.

The midfielder’s full name is Carlos Henrique Jose Francisco Venancio Casimiro, but he has worn “Casemiro” on his jersey since São Paulo misspelled his name during one of his earliest appearances for the club.

Casemiro reportedly played exceptionally well in that match and chose not to correct the name on his jersey out of superstition, leading to him wearing misprinted shirts ever since!

Romelu Lukaku, Anderlecht

Romelu Lukaku’s youth career did not begin at Anderlecht, but his professional career certainly did. He was part of Lierse SK until the club’s relegation in 2006, which resulted in Lukaku being one of 13 youth players transferred to Anderlecht.

That move proved significant. Lukaku made his senior debut for the club in 2006 and spent four years there before moving to Chelsea in 2011. Now, at 32, the experienced Belgium international is playing for Napoli in Italy but has frequently expressed a desire to once again wear Anderlecht’s purple jersey before he retires.

Lukaku’s contract at Napoli still has 18 months remaining, but Belgian news outlet Het Nieuwsblad has reported that he may be poised for a grand return home after the 2026 World Cup.