Top five possible romantic returns of footballers to their boyhood clubs ft. Ronaldo & Messi

Several top stars could return to their boyhood clubs in the near future.

The vice president of Lionel Messi’s hometown team, Newell’s Old Boys, made headlines this week. He revealed his intentions to entice the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to return to his former haunt in 2027.

Messi spent his early years in the club’s youth ranks after initially joining at the age of six in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. He was then scouted by FC Barcelona and quickly became one of the greatest players in history.

Where might we see the next romantic football comeback? There has never been a better moment to consider possible homecomings in the years to come than now, as Valentine’s Day approaches.

The top five possible romantic returns of footballers to their boyhood teams

5. Romelu Lukaku to Anderlecht

Romelu Lukaku’s senior career undoubtedly started at Anderlecht, but his youth career did not. Prior to Lierse SK’s 2006 relegation, Lukaku was on the team’s roster. As a result, he was one of 13 young players shipped to Anderlecht.

Lukaku still has 18 months left on his Napoli deal, but according to Belgian news site Het Nieuwsblad, he might have a spectacular welcome home following the 2026 World Cup.

4. Casemiro to São Paulo

When his contract with Manchester United expires this summer, Casemiro publicly declared his intention to leave the team.

Although his future plans are yet unknown, Casemiro might be able to return to join his native São Paulo, the Brazilian team he played for from the age of 10 until he was 20, when Real Madrid’s Castilla academy approached him. However, the 33-year-old has never publicly mentioned that he would like to rejoin São Paulo.

3. Antoine Griezmann to Lyon

Antoine Griezmann was never able to play for Lyon, the team he grew up with. An unsuccessful academy trial as a child was the closest he ever came. Rather, he relocated to Spain and joined Real Sociedad.

After making history at FC Barcelona by becoming the fifth most expensive transfer ever to sign from Atletico Madrid, the 34-year-old returned to Atleti to resume his career.

But before Griezmann retires, it would be a great move for him to wear a Lyon jersey and return to a place where he is eager to perform. He made his Champions League debut with Sociedad in 2013. That was the only game he has ever played at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium.

2. Lionel Messi to Newell’s Old Boys

Lionel Messi left Newell’s Old Boys to join Barça as a youngster in 2000. The Argentine star has frequently expressed his admiration for his childhood team. Most notably in 2017, when he acknowledged that he still had a long-standing wish to play for the team again.

Perhaps Messi will finally get his dream. Rumours now suggest that Newell’s have explored a prospective contract that would see him return in January 2027.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo to Sporting CP

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to miss Al Nassr‘s match against Al Ittihad has raised further questions about his future in the Saudi Pro League. Numerous sources indicate that the Portugal captain has a €44 million exit clause in his deal with the club this summer. He is reportedly displeased with his club’s transfer activities.

If he were to leave Saudi Arabia, where would he go with his 1,000 career goals still in sight? A romantic response would be an emotional reunion with Sporting CP.

Dolores Aveiro, his mother, is undoubtedly in favour of this return. She stated on a podcast in 2021 that she hoped to see her kid rejoin Sporting.

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