Lionel Messi kits son Thiago out in Newell's Old Boys polo shirt for intimate holiday photo in the Caribbean

Home Top

The champions are back! Chelsea return to training for first time as Mourinho's men get down to business ahead of the new season
I'll show doubters I can still dominate games, promises Schweinsteiger as he reveals he turned down United in 2010
JEFF POWELL: Sir Alex wouldn't have signed Sterling for Man United... not even for 49p! He only signed real men with a bit of character
Van Gaal's United revolution continues as Everton close in on £7m Evans deal
Liverpool move ahead of Man United in race to sign Benteke after triggering Villa striker's £32.5m release clause
Liverpool prepared to fight Chelsea to sign unsettled Barcelona star Pedro
Special 'Stevie Cam' to capture every moment of Gerrard's LA Galaxy debut against San Jose Earthquakes
Chest in the nick of time: Tomkins scores injury-time goal to earn West Ham Europa League victory in Bilic's first game in charge
It's great to be home, says Downing as he completes £5m move to Middlesbrough
We lacked killer instinct, admits Bilic as he warns stars job is not done yet
FA slammed for letting Mackay and Moody escape punishment over racist, sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic texts
COMMENT: Welcome to the FA in 2015... nothing but a spineless and toothless organisation
England brought back down to earth as Australia take control of second Ashes Test thanks to centuries from Smith and Rogers
NASSER HUSSAIN: Smith and Rogers rewarded for their patience against Ali... but Warner dismissal was irresponsible
MARTIN SAMUEL: England must grind it out now... not go all gung-ho
England playing dangerous game by ordering slow and low pitches to combat Australia's pace
BUMBLE AT THE TEST: England didn't turn up, but that's OK... Hucknall was a no-show as well
TOP SPIN: Clarke wins toss after going heads for first time in his career
CHARLES SALE: England women's cricket chief silenced by ECB
'It was tough for Liverpool when Suarez left but Sterling will find structure at City,' says Kompany as £49m man arrives Down Under
Mayweather steps up training ahead of September 12 bout as Berto says he's 'up for the challenge'
Valdes move to Valencia could be off due to Man United keeper's high wages
I've not lost my buzz... when the game starts tackles will be flying in, says Gerrard as he prepares for MLS bow
TRANSFER NEWS COLUMN: Spurs to offer Lennon and cash in bid to land Everton midfielder McCarthy

Lionel Messi played for Argentina at the 2015 Copa America in Chile
The Barcelona star has been given some extra time off with his family
Messi posed for a photo with his son Thiago in the Caribbean
Thiago is wearing a Newell's Old Boys polo shirt - the club his father played for as a child and where he is rumoured to want to end his career

Published: 19:37 EST, 13 July 2015 | Updated: 05:05 EST, 14 July 2015

View
comments

There has been much speculation over where Lionel Messi will finish his impressive career, but it is clear boyhood club Newell's Old Boys still hold a special place in his heart.

Most of the Barcelona squad are back in training ahead of the new season, but following his Copa America campaign with Argentina, Messi is enjoying some family time in the Caribbean.

The Barca man, regarded by many as the best player in the world, has posed for a photo alongside his son Thiago, who is kitted out in a Newell's Old Boys polo shirt.

Lionel Messi (left) has kitted his son out in a Newell's Old Boys polo shirt for a holiday snap in the Caribbean

Last weekend, Newell's Old Boys supporters paid homage to their hometown hero Messi with a banner

Messi played for the club before leaving his home country for Barcelona at the turn of the century, but there have been reports he still harbours hope of finishing his career back in Argentina.

Last weekend, Newell's Old Boys supporters unfurled a banner in support of their hometown hero, which read: 'Messi: Being the best is what separates us from the rest'.

In an interview with Marca, fellow Argentinian footballer Gabriel Heinze, who finished his career at Newell's Old Boys, said of the 28-year-old's situation:

'Messi will retire at Newell's, there's no need to convince him of anything. I don't see him wearing any other shirt in Argentina than that of Newell's and he will retire at Newell's.'

Messi's incredible dribble vs Paraguay in the Copa America