Santa Fe governor's confession about Messi driving Newell's fans crazy: "There is a chance the best in the world will come to Rosario"

Gubernator Maximiliano Pullaro of Santa Fe province acknowledged there is a possibility that Lionel Messi could return to play for a period in Rosario, the city where he was born. This statement comes amid ongoing speculation about Messi’s future after his recent announcement of retiring from the Argentine national team. Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, has a contract extending through 2026, though he is nearing the end of his professional career. Pullaro made the remarks during an interview with Cadena 3 of Rosario, stating that he had spoken with Messi on several occasions and observed some enthusiasm from the player’s surroundings. While emphasizing that Messi does not have to make any decisions based on him, Pullaro expressed hope that Messi might consider returning to Rosario for a time. He stressed that any efforts would be aimed at benefiting the city rather than any specific club. The governor described Messi as someone deeply connected to Rosario, noting that despite spending most of his life away from the city, Messi and his family maintain a strong affection for it. Pullaro added that Messi represents values beyond his athletic prowess, highlighting his exemplary character both on and off the field. Messi formally announced his retirement from the Argentine national team earlier this week via a heartfelt letter and video shared on social media. His decision followed Argentina’s participation in the 2026 World Cup held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. There has been no confirmation yet regarding whether a farewell match will take place following the tournament’s final against Spain. Inter Miami’s schedule indicates three more matches in the MLS before facing Cruz Azul of Mexico in the Campeones Cup final on September 16. After that, the team will continue with nine regular-season games until early November, followed by playoff matches to defend their title. Messi returned to Inter Miami after briefly stepping away to accompany his father prior to his passing. He missed only one game against Monterrey in the Leagues Cup and has since played seven matches, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. In a letter published alongside his retirement announcement, Messi stated that his decision was difficult but necessary, emphasizing his commitment to the national team throughout his career. He highlighted his achievements with Argentina, including world championships, Olympic gold, and multiple Copa América titles. The prospect of Messi returning to Rosario has stirred excitement among local fans, particularly those affiliated with Newell's Old Boys, the club where Messi began his youth career. Goalkeeper Josué Reinatti expressed hope that Messi might join them, saying the club is waiting for him. Messi’s connection to Newell's has remained strong over the years, with the player often expressing a desire to return to the club. During an early interview after winning the U-20 World Cup, Messi responded to a fan’s request to wear Boca Juniors' jersey by saying, “First Newell's, then we’ll see.” Later, he reiterated his wish to return, stating it was something he always imagined growing up. Following the completion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, discussions arose within Messi’s circle about potentially playing for Newell's before settling permanently in the United States. However, these plans did not materialize, partly due to security concerns following an attack on the home of Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi’s wife, in March 2023. Despite this setback, Angel Di Maria returned to Rosario in 2020, joining Rosario Central. In November 2020, four days after the death of Diego Maradona, Messi honored the former Newell's player by wearing number 10 during a match for Barcelona, paying tribute to Maradona’s legacy. With Pullaro’s comments and Di Maria’s presence in Rosario, hopes remain high that Messi might eventually don the Newell's jersey again, potentially reshaping the city’s status as the football capital of Argentina.