Lionel Messi said he will return to live in Barcelona with his family when his time at Paris St Germain is over and would like to help the La Liga club in the role of a technical director.

Messi ended a two-decade stay at the cash-strapped Spanish club, where he is their record scorer with 672 goals, in the off-season and joined PSG on a free transfer on a two-year deal.

"What is almost confirmed... is that we are going to live in Barcelona again and that our life will be there," the 34-year-old Argentine said in an interview with Spanish outlet Sport.

"It's what my wife wants and what I want. I don't know when my contract with PSG ends but we'll go back to Barcelona to live.

"I always said that I would love to be able to help the club... I would love to be a technical director at some point. I don't know if it will be at Barcelona or not.

"If there is a possibility, I would like to contribute again because it's the club that I love and I would love for it to continue doing well, to continue growing and to continue being one of the best in the world."

Messi also criticised Barcelona president Joan Laporta for suggesting he could have stayed at the club and played for free.

The six-time world player of the year had said he would accept a 50% pay cut in discussions over a new contract at the Nou Camp.

Laporta later said he had been hoping Messi would offer to play for nothing.

Speaking about his departure, Messi said: "The truth is, as I explained when I left, I did everything possible to stay.

"Never at any moment did they ask me to play for free. They asked me to reduce my salary by 50% and I did it without any problem. We were willing to help the club more.

"My desire and that of my family was to stay in Barcelona. No one asked me to play for free but at the same time, the president's words were inappropriate. It hurt because I don’t think there was any need to say that.

"It’s like taking the ball off you and not accepting the responsibility or taking charge of things. That makes people think and generates all types of doubts that I don’t think I deserve."

Barca, who are ninth in La Liga, sacked coach Ronald Koeman last week.

Messi limped off injured in PSG's 2-1 win over champions Lille on Friday but coach Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful he will be available for this week's Champions League game at RB Leipzig.