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Lionel Messi believes he may not be able to end his career in Argentina because of his family's preference to remain in Barcelona.

The forward has often been quoted as saying it is his 'dream' to end his stunning playing career at his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys back in Rosario. 

However, Messi now admits it may be difficult to return to his homeland in the future with his family desperate to stay in the Catalan city.

'I always said I don't want to leave Barcelona, I don't have the idea of leaving,' he told Argentine TV channel TyC Sports.

'I have the dream of being able to play at Newell's in Argentine football, but I don't know if realistically it will happen, because I have a family that comes before my desire.

'It's a reality I dreamed of since I was little but I have a family, I have three children, I live in a place that gave me everything and where I am calm, and I can give my kids a spectacular future. We think much more about that than my desire to play in Argentine football.

'I'll try to convince the family, because now you have to convince the kids too. Thiago is big now, he's got his friends and he doesn't like it at all when we go to Argentina for a month, he wants to be with his friends and it's all harder.'