Lionel Messi has pledged his loyalty to Barcelona, stating that it is highly unlikely he will play for another European club.

The Argentine skipper has been at Barcelona for 14 years, winning nine league titles and four Champions League trophies during his time in Spain.

While not many clubs in the world could afford the transfer fee of Messi, the 30-year-old has stated that it is unlikely he will play anywhere else in Europe.

"I'm increasingly sure that in Europe, Barcelona will be my only club," Messi told El Trece.

"I always said I wanted to play in Argentine football one day, I don't know if it will happen but I have it in my mind. It would be at Newell's, nowhere else. I would like to do that for at least six months, but you never know what will happen. My dream was to play for Newell's as a kid, going to the matches with my dad, my brothers, my friends... after that; circumstances in life took me elsewhere but I still have that in mind.

"The other day I was talking to a friend and he told me 'if you had chosen Spain [to play for instead of Argentina], you'd be a World Cup winner already', but it wouldn't have been the same. Obviously in no moment did I think about doing that. To win it with Argentina would be something unique. We have players to be able to dream. It's important to start off with a win to build confidence. We don't have an easy group."

Argentina will play Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D of the World Cup group stages.