Gabriel Heinze believes Lionel Messi will eventually retire at Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Heinze joined Newell’s – where he started his career in 1996 – from Roma in summer 2012 and is convinced Barcelona star Messi will return to his homeland before he hangs up his boots.
“Lionel is going to retire at Newell’s. I don’t see him in any other shirt in Argentina than that of Newell’s and I think he’ll retire there,” said Heinze, who was speaking in Paris where he was taking part in a football seminar.
Despite his experiences in European football, where he also represented Real Valladolid, Sporting Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille, the 36-year-old claims the last two years with Newell’s have been the best of his career.
“To finish your career here is the best thing that can happen to any footballer. I feel that every step I’ve taken since I was a young boy was geared towards this,” he declared.