Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has plotted a return to Newell's Old Boys, reiterating that it remains a "desire" of his to play for his childhood club.

Uncertainty still surrounds the Argentina international's short-term future at Camp Nou, where he is due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Messi is free to discuss a summer transfer with foreign clubs from January and, in a rare interview in his homeland, the 30-year-old has only added to the speculation that he may well be on his way out of the club sooner rather than later.

"The desire is always playing for Newell's, it is what I dreamed as a kid," he told TyC Sports. "When I went to the club I imagined playing in the Primera Division, but I do not know what's going to happen in a few years. I cannot say I'm going back because I do not know where I'm going to be."

Messi left Newell's for Barcelona at the age of 13, recently racking up his milestone 600th appearance for the Catalan giants.