Lionel Messi says he would 'like to play' in the United States at some point in his career. 

The Barcelona legend, who is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, is now 33 and speculation has been growing with regard to his future and he submitted a request to leave the club during the summer.

Speaking to Spanish television channel La Sexta, Messi expressed a desire to experience life in the United States and sample football in the MLS.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," he told the station.

I'm going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity."

At Barcelona since being a teenager, the Argentinian has grown increasingly frustrated at the Nou Camp and has been vocal in his criticism of ex-President Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned from his role in October.

While acknowledging his desire to play elsewhere, Messi was adamant that his focus at present is on maintaining his form and helping Barcelona finish the season strongly. They currently lie fifth in La Liga, eight points off leaders Atletico Madrid who are level on points with Real Madrid at the summit.

"Right now the most important thing is to focus on the team and finish the season well, to focus on trying to win trophies and not get distracted by other things."

Manchester City has been mooted as another potential destination for the 33-year-old, and he concedes he continues to admire his former coach Pep Guardiola.

"I don’t know how long my last chat with Pep Guardiola was, but we do talk.

“We don’t talk about whether we are going to meet again. For me Pep is the best, he has something special."