Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, has urged Lionel Messi to finish his career in his home country.
The Barcelona forward spent several years in the academy at Newell's Old Boys in Rosario before moving to Europe as a teenager.
"You're in all of our hearts and we've never been able to watch you play in our country," Fernandez told C5N.
"Gives us the pleasure of coming to finish your career at Newell's Old Boys, which is your club.
"If he doesn't retire at Barcelona, he has to retire at Newell's like Marcelo Bielsa."
Fernandez, an Argentinos fan, was also asked to choose between Messi and Diego Maradona.
"Maradona's great merit is that it was him against the world," the president responded.
"I've never seen a player like Maradona.
"I have deep admiration for Maradona - more than I have for Messi, to be honest, because he came through at Argentinos.
"Also because I watched him play alone against the world.
"He was a type of gladiator, with incredible strength."
kinglee123
430
Newell’s old boys shouting for Messi to come back now it’s Argentina president pleading for him to come back home and yet haters will be like they hate Messi in Argentina 😁😁😁
hidbdilpyz
118
Diego m and pele against the world then Messi and Barca against erlber and getafe 🤣🤣🤣