Lionel Messi admits Newell's Old Boys doubts

Lionel Messi has once again said that his ambition is to end his playing days with his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, but admitted that there is some doubt as to whether it will come to pass.

The Barcelona star left the Argentine outfit in 2001 to join the Catalan club's youth ranks, and has since maintained that he would like his career to come full circle and return to Rosario before hanging up his boots.

However, he has conceded that his willingness to return to his homeland will depend on the state of the country at the time.

"I've said many times that my dream is to play at Newell's but I don't know what will happen, and a part of that doubt is due to the way the country is at the moment," he told TyC Sports.

"I have a family and my children come first, and then me. I want them to grow up in a calm place, being able to enjoy life with security.

"It is very ugly to see the things that happen in Argentina, that you can go out on the street and people want to rob you and that they can kill you."

The 30-year-old looks set to remain at Camp Nou until 2021, having recently signed a new four-year deal that includes a release clause of £626m.