Lionel Messi remains one of the most famous players to have ever played for Newell's Old Boys, despite having never played for the first team.

The 29-year-old spent six years at the club as a child before moving to Barcelona as a 12-year-old. He remains a lifelong fan of the Rosario club.

Messi has two years remaining on his contract, and his former club are hopeful they can bring him home after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 

Speaking to La Capital, Newell's Old Boys Vice-President Cristian D'Amico admitted the club were hopeful to persuade Messi to return, when he turns 31.

"Imagine a game with Messi in the [stadium, with the press throughout the world, the sponsors who would come ... That would make the difference and economically, apart from the sentimentality, we could make a big difference to clean up the debts."

Whether Messi wants to return home, remains to be seen, but it would be an excellent way to end what has been a legendary career. 2018 may come to soon for Newell's Old Boys, but 2020 may certainly be a possibility when Messi turns 33.

Watch this space.