Former youth coach Atilio Lai shared memories of Lionel Messi's childhood at Newell's Old Boys to mark the star's 38th birthday [1].
These recollections highlight the enduring connection between the world's most decorated footballer and his hometown club in Rosario, Argentina. The timing of these tributes coincides with ongoing speculation regarding a potential return to the club where he first played.
Lai, who watched Messi grow up at the club's training facilities, described the young player as possessing a unique blend of talent and temperament. He recalled that Messi was a very humble child with a great passion for football and a smile that lit up the field, he said [2].
While the celebrations focused on sporting brilliance, Messi also reflected on the personal hardships of his youth. He noted that his saddest memory was the death of his grandmother when he was 13 [3]. This period of his life remains a significant part of his personal history, contrasting the global fame he now possesses with the private losses of his early adolescence.
The sentiment surrounding the birthday celebrations has extended to the club's administration. A spokesperson for Newell's Old Boys, known as La Lepra, said that conditions are favorable for Messi to wear the club's jersey again [4].
Messi celebrated his birthday on June 24, 2026 [1]. The anniversary served as a catalyst for both the club and former mentors to publicly acknowledge the influence of the player's early years in Rosario. The accounts provided by Lai emphasize that the technical skills Messi displays today were evident in the early 1990s during his time at the youth academy [2].
“Recuerdo que era un niño muy humilde, con una gran pasión por el fútbol y una sonrisa que iluminaba la cancha.”
The convergence of nostalgic tributes from former coaches and official statements from Newell's Old Boys suggests a strategic alignment to facilitate Messi's return to Argentina. By emphasizing his humble origins and deep emotional ties to Rosario, the club is strengthening the narrative for a homecoming that would be one of the most significant events in South American football history.
