FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi previously hinted that he could end his career in his native Argentina, but those plans appear to have changed.
Messi (32) has spent his entire professional career with Barca, cementing his status as one of the world's greatest-ever players, but had previously admitted he could return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys before hanging up his boots.
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According to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's cousin Maximiliano Biancucchi, a former footballer himself, those plans might now have changed due to the ongoing "insecurities" Argentina is facing, with issues of instability and security rife throughout the country.
"The root he has with Argentina is a root and a love that people do not fully understand," Biancucchi told Radio Club Octubre.
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"He is always branded as Spanish. He is very Argentine, in his own way. He spends his vacations here, he married in Rosario.
"If not because of the insecurity that the country is experiencing, I would encourage you to say that I would have no doubt that he is going to play in Argentina.
"For me, I did not discuss this with him, [but] the issue of insecurity may affect him when he comes back."
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The player-turned-agent also revealed that it was his dream to see his cousin turn out in a Newell's kit again, but also suggested that the city of Rosario would not make for a safe environment for his children to go to school.
"It's difficult. Imagine if Messi plays a classic, the kids have to go to school. The city is hell," Biancucchi added.