Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has revealed that he avoids walking the streets of his hometown because he constantly gets mobbed by fans.

The 26-year-old missed out on scooping his fifth FIFA Ballon d'Or award as Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo pipped him to the honour earlier this month.

However, the prolific forward has suggested in an interview with FIFA.com that his popularity in Argentina has not dwindled.

When asked if he could walk around in public without getting mobbed, Messi said: "Yes, just like I can in Barcelona. No, no... I try to go from house to house, to the houses of friends and relatives. I don't go out on the streets much."

Messi returned from 10 weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury by scoring twice in last week's victory over Getafe in the Copa del Rey.