Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been backed to return to Argentina in the future by Estudiantes midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Messi has spent his entire career professional career at Camp Nou, coming through the ranks of La Masia after joining the club from Newell’s Old Boys back in 2000.
The Argentine playmaker established himself as one of the greatest players in the world of football. He was awarded a record sixth Ballon d’Or back in December and has set many new records during his course of time in Spain.
His contract is set to expire by the end of next season and there are talks that he could move to his homeland for a different challenge before ending his career.
Barcelona president had previously expressed his desire to see Messi end his career at the club and is willing to extend his contract. But the talisman had insisted many times that a return to Newell’s Old Boys at a point would be ideal for him.
However, Javier Mascherano, who is currently with Estudiantes hopes to see Messi return to Argentina and suggested that family could play a decisive role in his move back to his native.
The 35-year-old Mascherano returned to Argentina 15 years after he left River Plate for Liverpool and believes Messi would join him in Argentina.
“Anything can happen in the world of football and it depends on his desire to play in Argentina”, the former Barcelona man told Diario Sport.
“There is also the family aspect when he decides to live over here. There are some personal issues and no one can influence them. If he decides to come here in the future, it would be a huge jump in quality of our league and the country”.
Mascherano himself received a hero’s welcome and claimed that Messi’s return would be a far bigger and different story as he is the best player in the world.
The Catalan giants’ captains will be back in action against Valencia at the weekend as they travel to the Mestalla Stadium.