The date is June 30th, 2021. After a long (and succesful) carreer at FC Barcelona, where he played 525 league games and scored 449 goals, and after lifting the Copa América with Argentina taking some of the heaviest weights on his shoulders, Lionel Andres Messi decided that it's time to comeback and conquer Argentina.
After months of speculation, Messi didn't renew his contract with Barca to sign a 4 year deal with Newell's Old Boys, his youth club until he left to Catalunya. The Leprosos just got back from a second division stint for a year, and with an amazing youth system to feed and help Messi are pushing to be back in glory days and push for a Libertadores win. Can Messi make it in Rosario?
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Things didn't go as planned for Lionel, with a debut for the Copa Argentina against minnows Villa Dálmine, that ended up 1-1, but with a defeat 6-5 on penalties. Rosario Central stadium, Newell's bitter rivals, witnessed what was a bad start for Lionel's journey in Argentina.
Starting as a Attacking Midfielder on the center, Lionel found it hard and tough in the league, with a lucky win against Defensa y Justicia and a 0-1 defeat against Huracán in the first ever match for Messi in the "Coloso del Parque - Marcelo Bielsa".
However, with a shift as an Advancer Playmaker on the right saw Messi starting to play better and Newell's to win games. His first goal was in the 83th minute in an away win against Atlético Tucumán 4-1. In another victory, this time 3-0 against Argentinos Juniors, Messi celebrated his first goal at home, his second in the season.
Newell's went on into an incredible run of 11 games undefeated, including a 1-0 win against Independiente, a 5-0 thrasing to Arsenal de Sarandí and an entertaining draw 1-1 against San Lorenzo.
But all eyes were on Messi. The hungry goalscorer, the impecable goal machine, wasn't shining in Rosario. With only 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 games, he might be on top of the assists charts but it's not what Newell's faithful would have hoped of "Lio".
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Alan Aguerre on goal (he went on undefeated 6 games), Marco Campagnaro as a mezzala and Nadalín playing as a right back are winning all the cheers from the rojo y negro fans.
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But things are set to start getting tough. In the beginning of october, before the last win so far, 1-0 against Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto, Newell's was sharing the top of the table against Huracán. Now, after a 0-0 against Velez and two defeats in the hands of Talleres de Córdoba and Estudiantes de La Plata, Newell's sits 4th on the table, where the next two games are against Boca Juniors and Racing Club.
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Can Messi help lift this young team out of this short but bad run of form and try to push for the title that Newell's don't win since 2013?
After months of speculation, Messi didn't renew his contract with Barca to sign a 4 year deal with Newell's Old Boys, his youth club until he left to Catalunya. The Leprosos just got back from a second division stint for a year, and with an amazing youth system to feed and help Messi are pushing to be back in glory days and push for a Libertadores win. Can Messi make it in Rosario?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things didn't go as planned for Lionel, with a debut for the Copa Argentina against minnows Villa Dálmine, that ended up 1-1, but with a defeat 6-5 on penalties. Rosario Central stadium, Newell's bitter rivals, witnessed what was a bad start for Lionel's journey in Argentina.
Starting as a Attacking Midfielder on the center, Lionel found it hard and tough in the league, with a lucky win against Defensa y Justicia and a 0-1 defeat against Huracán in the first ever match for Messi in the "Coloso del Parque - Marcelo Bielsa".
However, with a shift as an Advancer Playmaker on the right saw Messi starting to play better and Newell's to win games. His first goal was in the 83th minute in an away win against Atlético Tucumán 4-1. In another victory, this time 3-0 against Argentinos Juniors, Messi celebrated his first goal at home, his second in the season.
Newell's went on into an incredible run of 11 games undefeated, including a 1-0 win against Independiente, a 5-0 thrasing to Arsenal de Sarandí and an entertaining draw 1-1 against San Lorenzo.
But all eyes were on Messi. The hungry goalscorer, the impecable goal machine, wasn't shining in Rosario. With only 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 games, he might be on top of the assists charts but it's not what Newell's faithful would have hoped of "Lio".
Alan Aguerre on goal (he went on undefeated 6 games), Marco Campagnaro as a mezzala and Nadalín playing as a right back are winning all the cheers from the rojo y negro fans.
But things are set to start getting tough. In the beginning of october, before the last win so far, 1-0 against Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto, Newell's was sharing the top of the table against Huracán. Now, after a 0-0 against Velez and two defeats in the hands of Talleres de Córdoba and Estudiantes de La Plata, Newell's sits 4th on the table, where the next two games are against Boca Juniors and Racing Club.
Can Messi help lift this young team out of this short but bad run of form and try to push for the title that Newell's don't win since 2013?
