Lionel Messi has reiterated that Barcelona will be the only European side he plays for, although he is still hoping to head home to Newell’s Old Boys at some stage.
The Argentine started out in the youth system of the club based in his native Rosario, and clearly still has fond memories of the club.
He was, however, to head for Europe at the age of 13 and has not looked back after graduating out of the famed La Masia academy system to become a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and all-time great.
Messi has spent his entire senior career with Barcelona, winning countless major honours and scoring 552 goals, and has vowed that he will never represent a continental rival, with Manchester City having previously attempted to sign the forward .
The 30-year-old forward told El Trece on his future plans: "It becomes more and more clear that Barcelona will be my only team in Europe.
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"After that, I have always said that I want to play football in Argentina but I don’t know if it will happen. I have it in mind."
If Messi is to head home at some stage, then Newell’s will be his destination. He added: "I’d like to live it, be it for six months or a few matches, but I don’t know. One never knows.
"My dream was to play for Newell’s as a kid, going to the matches with my dad, my brother, my friends.
"After that, circumstances in life took me elsewhere but I still have that in mind."
Argentinean matters are the focus for Messi at present, as he readies himself for another shot at World Cup glory .
He will be heading to Russia on the back of a domestic double at Barca, but he has conceded that he would happily swap one of those titles for a so far elusive major honour with his country .
