Argentina highlights Messi's statements with new Chinese sponsor

Argentina's main media services highlighted soccer star Lionel Messi's words during a news conference in Barcelona, Spain, where he announced Chinese cellphone company Huawei as his new sponsor on Friday.

"I would only play for Newell's," read the headline of sports daily Ole. The newspaper went on to describe that "in a news conference, he (Messi) assured that if he came back to play soccer in Argentina then he wouldn't put on any other shirt apart from the one based in (the city of) Rosario (Newell's Old Boys) as he is a fan."

Daily La Nacion wrote that on their website that Argentinian side River Plate should not get their hopes up. Messi will only play for Newell's in Argentina even though River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio, is under the illusion that Messi will join the club one day.

"River shouldn't get their hopes up: Lionel Messi said he will only play for Newell's if he plays in Argentina," was the headline of the article which also reflects on what the soccer star said about his current position with Barcelona.

"Messi closed the door to River: 'If I return to play in Argentina, it will be with Newell's,'" was the headline in the online portal Infobae which also echoed the news conference given by the striker.

Daily newspaper Clarin focused more on Messi's feelings towards Argentina's national team, with the headline: "It still hurts," in reference to Argentina losing the finals of the World Cup 2014 and Copa America 2015.

Huawei is the third biggest cellphone producer in the world and the company will pay the Argentinian soccer star 15 million U.S. dollars over the next three years. Endit