New Newell's Old Boys coach Mono Burgos believes they can bring Barcelona star Lionel Messi back to the club.

Messi was in the Newell's academy between 1994 and 1999, scoring 234 goals in 176 games for the youth teams, before leaving for Barcelona.

Burgos, Diego Simeone's former assistant coach at Atletico Madrid, flirted with the idea of Messi returning to his former club, which he is now in charge of.

"I have the best plan for him," Burgos told La Capital when discussing Messi.

"I believe in him. I think he can still give more.

"I don't think he'll leave Barcelona because it's his home, like Newell's is too.

"I think, one day, he's going to pass through here."

After Diego Maradona's death in November, Messi displayed a Newell's shirt in tribute to one of his idols growing up.

"If Diego Maradona played here, Messi is also going to want to play for Newell's in the Primera Division," Burgos said.

"I think that will happen at some point. If only it could happen soon."