Lionel Messi has said that the birth of his son has changed his outlook on life.

Thiago Messi was born in November and the Barcelona forward has said that his arrival has made him alter his own personality in a positive way.

"[Fatherhood] changes you completely. If things didn't go my way before, I became withdrawn and didn't want to see or listen to anyone," Messi told El Periódico de Catalunya.

"Now, when I arrive home, I see my son and everything is ok. He's the most important thing to me now. My life has changed a lot, in many ways.

"He comes before everything else. Now the way I see things has changed. I have different priorities. My outlook on life, the way I think and analyse every situation has all changed. Things are different now."

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner also admitted that one day he will return to play in his homeland.

"I'm my biggest critic. I play as a false centre-forward and I don't know when, but one day I will play in Argentina."

Messi scored 91 goals for club and country in 2012.