Lionel Messi has received a remarkable tribute in his homeland, with Newell’s Old Boys naming a stadium stand in his honor, despite the Argentine icon never playing a senior match for the club.
Recognized globally as one of football’s all-time greats, Messi’s glittering career includes a record eight Ballon d'Or wins and legendary spells at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina’s national team. His name has long been etched into the history of the sport, and now, it’s also been etched into the very fabric of the club where it all began.
Newell’s Old Boys expand stadium, dedicate stand to Lionel Messi
The Rosario-based side, rooted in Santa Fe, has a tradition of celebrating club legends by dedicating parts of their stadium, the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium commonly known as El Coloso to illustrious figures from their past. Though Messi never featured for Newell’s senior side, his legacy within the club’s youth academy and his lifelong support have earned him this distinctive honor.
The newly inaugurated stand contributes to the stadium's expanded capacity of 50,000 and now stands alongside sections named after other notable football figures, including Diego Maradona, Tata Martino, and Maxi Rodriguez.
Messi joined Newell’s youth ranks at just six years old and spent seven formative years there before moving to Spain to join Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy at 13.
Mixed reactions among supporters
The tribute was announced with pride by the club:
Today, the Coloso writes a new page, Newell’s Old Boys declared. For the first time, the two most powerful names in soccer history live under the same roof: OURS.
While many fans celebrated the gesture as a fitting recognition of Messi’s profound global impact, others questioned the decision. Some supporters felt it was inappropriate to honor a player who never played for the senior team, while others voiced practical concerns, criticizing the club for neglecting more pressing stadium improvements, such as repainting the lower sections.
Despite differing opinions, the tribute underscores Messi’s lasting influence not just on football but on the hearts of fans in Rosario and beyond.