Lionel Messi has reiterated his intention to only play for Barcelona in Europe and spend six months back in Argentina with boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.

Speaking in an interview with Argentine TV program Pasion por el Futbol, the Barcelona genius said, “I am more and more clear that, in Europe, Barcelona is going to be my only home.”

“I always said that I wanted to play someday in Argentina. I don’t know if it will happen, but I have it in mind.

“It would be Newell’s, nothing more. I’d like to do that for at least six months, but you never know what is going to happen.”

The 30-year old will be leading Jorge Sampaoli-managed Argentina in World Cup 2018, and while Messi could have represented Spain in his career, he explained why he didn’t ever consider that possibility.

He said: “The other day I was talking to a friend and he said to me: ‘Look, if you had stayed with Spain, you would be world champion’.

“But it wouldn’t have been the same. Obviously, it never crossed my mind at any time. Being a champion with Argentina would be special.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also expressed his views on how fame affects his lifestyle and how he has to miss out on a few occasions with his family, while also admitting that he is thankful for the love he receives.

He said: “I am grateful for the treatment people give me, but it is true that sometimes I would like to go unnoticed”.

“More than anything when I’m with my family, I’d like to hang out with them normally.

“I like to buy clothes, but I don’t like to go [to the shops]. I buy a lot online. When I try to go to a shopping mall or walk somewhere, I always go fast, so as not to stop. I go, I enter the premises, I do what I have to do and I go out.

“And when I go with [wife Antonella Roccuzzo] or with the kids, you cannot [stop]. And if you start to stop, you cannot leave. Then you have to duck your head.”