Newell's Old Boys vice-president Cristian D'Amico says they retain hope of eventually welcoming back Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Messi left Newell's at 13 years of age to join Barca.

And after seeing Messi win his sixth Ballon d'Or last night, D'Amico told TMW: "We still cherish the desire to see him enter the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium with the Rossoneri camiseta.

"As long as Messi continues to remind the world that this is a goal he has yet to reach, our dream will remain alive together with all the love we always feel towards him.

"We will prepare our club properly for when this fateful moment comes."