Latest news with #Rosario-based
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lionel Messi has stand named after him at club he never played for
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi supported Newell's Old Boys as a child and played in their youth team before joining Barcelona and moving to Spain aged 13 but has often spoke of a return Newell's Old Boys have named a stand after Lionel Messi, despite never playing a single senior game for the club. The Argentina legend has featured for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami in his career but it is the Argentine club who have honoured the 38-year-old. The club, based in Rosario, Santa Fe, has already dedicated much of their stadium to legends of the team. And while Messi never played professionally for the club, he is the latest to be recognised as the side's new stand increases the stadium capacity to 50,000 spectators. The Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, also known as El Coloso, was named after the team's former manager in 2009. The stands making up the ground are named after Diego Maradona, Maxi Rodríguez and Tata Martino. Messi is a lifelong supporter of Newell's and featured for the club from the age of six until 13. After representing youth teams, Messi made the move to Barcelona to continue his development at La Masia. "Today, the Coloso writes a new page," Rosario-based club said. "For the first time, the two most powerful names in soccer history live under the same roof: OURS." Messi has long spoken of the possibility of securing a dramatic return to Newell's to live out his childhood dream. The World Cup winner's contract is set to expire in 2025, though Inter Miami are said to hold an option to extend the deal for a further year. That has not stopped Newell's president Ignacio Astore expressing his desire however. Speaking to TyC Sports, Astore spoke on a potential Messi return. "It's something he has to decide," he said. "I haven't spoken to the player. I don't think it's appropriate to speak to him because it would put him in an awkward position. Maybe he has a contract, maybe he feels it's not the right time, maybe he has other family commitments... I know the appreciation he has for the institution and how much he wants to come." A former Newell's manager was more forthright in his expectation however. Adrian Taffarel said: "According to the information I have, it's very likely that Messi will be at Newell's at the beginning of next year. There's a Newell's idol who played with him for Argentina who is talking to him about coming." Speaking in 2017, Messi said: "The desire is always playing for Newell's, it is what I dreamed as a kid," Messi told Argentine channel TyC Sports. "When I went to the club I imagined playing in the Primera Division, but I do not know what's going to happen in a few years. I cannot say I'm going back because I do not know where I'm going to be." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Di Maria returns to boyhood club Rosario Central
BUENOS AIRES: Argentine forward Angel Di Maria will return to his homeland to play for his boyhood club Rosario Central, the Argentine Primera Division club announced on Thursday. "Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home," the Rosario-based club said alongside a video posted on X. The 37-year-old Di Maria, who retired from international soccer last year, began his career at Rosario Central in 2005 before joining Benfica in 2007. He then moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain, and Juventus, before rejoining Benfica again in 2023. Di Maria won 30 titles during his time in Europe, along with six international honours with Argentina, including two Copa America titles, the 2022 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games. The winger will join Rosario Central after Benfica's participation in next month's Club World Cup in the United States, where the Portuguese club are in Group C alongside Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland City.
Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Argentina footballer Angel Di Maria returns to boyhood club Rosario Central
Argentine forward Angel Di Maria will return to his homeland to play for his boyhood club Rosario Central. PHOTO: AFP BUENOS AIRES - Argentine forward Angel Di Maria will return to his homeland to play for his boyhood club Rosario Central, the Argentine Primera Division club announced on May 29. "Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home," the Rosario-based club said alongside a video posted on X. The 37-year-old Di Maria, who retired from international football in 2024, began his career at Rosario Central in 2005 before joining Benfica in 2007. He then moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain, and Juventus, before rejoining Benfica again in 2023. Di Maria won 30 titles during his time in Europe, along with six international honours with Argentina, including two Copa America titles, the 2022 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games. The winger will join Rosario Central after Benfica's participation in next month's Club World Cup in the United States, where the Portuguese club are in Group C alongside Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland City. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Di Maria to return to boyhood club despite previous threats
Benfica winger Angel di Maria will return to his boyhood club Rosario Central - 10 months after death threats forced him to backtrack on the same move. The 37-year-old began his career at Rosario in 2005 and the Argentine top-flight club announced his return on Thursday. "Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home," the Rosario-based club said alongside a video posted on X. The 2022 World Cup winner spent two seasons with Rosario before moving to Europe with Benfica. He went on to play more than 700 games in Europe for Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St-Germain and Juventus. Di Maria was close to rejoining Rosario as a free agent last summer but increasing drug-related violence in the region and a number of threats against him and his family ended his plans. Speaking last July, Di Maria said: "There was a threat at my sister's business, a box with a pig's head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to [Rosario] Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia. "Those months were horrible. We could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream return." Di Maria has won 30 trophies in Europe - including league titles in three countries and the 2013-14 Champions League with Real - as well as the World Cup and two Copa America trophies with Argentina. He rejoined Benfica for a second spell in 2023 and will leave the club after next month's Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Di Maria returns to boyhood club Rosario Central
BUENOS AIRES - Argentine forward Angel Di Maria will return to his homeland to play for his boyhood club Rosario Central, the Argentine Primera Division club announced on Thursday. "Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home," the Rosario-based club said alongside a video posted on X. The 37-year-old Di Maria, who retired from international soccer last year, began his career at Rosario Central in 2005 before joining Benfica in 2007. He then moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain, and Juventus, before rejoining Benfica again in 2023. Di Maria won 30 titles during his time in Europe, along with six international honours with Argentina, including two Copa America titles, the 2022 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games. The winger will join Rosario Central after Benfica's participation in next month's Club World Cup in the United States, where the Portuguese club are in Group C alongside Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland City. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
