Contract clause allows Nahuel Guzman’s return to Newell’s if Lionel Messi goes back to boyhood club

Tigres keeper Nahuel Guzman has been with the 7-time Mexican champions since 2014 and has become a certified modern legend in Nuevo Leon, but could his time there come to an end soon?

Okay, most likely not, but the Argentine international does have a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the club at any moment and go back to boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys only if Lionel Messi decides to go back as well.

The bizarre contract stipulation was reported by TyC Sports in May of this year and Guzman said he was the one who offered it.

“When I proposed it they told me I could. The only way that they’ll send me to Newell’s, even if it’s just for six months, while I’m still under contract is if Messi returns.” - Nahuel Guzman

The 34-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of June 2021, so if Messi does shock the absolute hell out of the world and decides to go back home, Tigres might have to keep playing backup goalkeeper Miguel Ortega for the foreseeable future.

This week, fans of Newell’s took to the streets of Rosario and had a parade to try to persuade Messi to return to his hometown. The Barcelona forward hasn’t played at Newell’s since his transfer to Spain at the age of 11.

Guzman was a key man in goal for Newell’s before his move to Tigres and spent nine years at the club, capping his time there off with an Argentine league title win in 2013 under the stewardship of current Mexico manager Gerardo Tata Martino.

Guzman and Messi were both a part of Argentina’s 23-man squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, although Paton never saw any game time.

You can follow Antonio on Twitter @antonio1998__