Potential Destinations for Lionel Messi if He Really Leaves Barcelona
After over 700 appearances, 634 goals and more individual accolades than any other player in history, Lionel Messi's Barcelona's career may finally be reaching its end.
There's been rumours about him leaving in the past but for the first time ever his exit actually looks plausible. At 33, Messi is reaching the twilight of his career and more importantly, Barça are in crisis, having just been humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich.
Ever since the first whiff of La Pulga's discontent, the Argentine has been linked with all manner of different sides – and with reports on Thursday that he's told new manager Ronald Koeman he sees his future 'more outside the club than in'.
We've cut through the considerable noise and nonsense to offer up Messi's five most feasible destinations.
1. Manchester City
They've tried it in the past, and reports suggest that Manchester City are once again ready to throw lots and lots of money at Barcelona in an attempt to prise Messi away.
This move would see him reunite with the man who unlocked his genius by deploying him as a false nine, Pep Guardiola. This is a frightening prospect for the rest of the Premier League - even runaway champions Liverpool.
While Messi would improve any football team on the planet, he does seem to fit in particular nicely at the Etihad Stadium. City's ridiculously talented wingers would thrive with La Pulga feeding them with perfect balls in behind, reminiscent of Barça's lethal front three of the early 2010s.
Could the Cityzens afford the move? Almost certainly. Also, with a hefty gap to close on Jurgen Klopp's Reds, they seem likely to pull the trigger if the opportunity presented itself.
This means we could be close to seeing the best player of all time lace of his boots against Sean Dyche's Burnley. We cannot wait to see who comes out on top, Messi or Phil Bardsley...
2. Inter
This one is for the romantics out there, who long for the days of watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi face off twice a season.
If La Pulga does opt for a move to the Nerazzurri, the two players whose rivalry has dominated the last ten years of European football will be reunited in Serie A.
Aside for this beautiful narrative, the move could also usher in a seismic shift in Italy. Juventus are looking as vulnerable for the first time in years and with Inter possessing Antonio Conte and a swathe of exciting players, the Old Lady might finally be deprived the Scudetto.
The big stumbling block here would be finances, but perhaps sending Lautaro Martinez in the other direction would twist Barcelona's arm.
3. MLS
Being the best is stressful. Perhaps Messi is sick of all the drama that European football brings and fancies chances his arm in MLS, elite football's retirement home.
A player of his international fame would probably only be tempted to the States if the location was glitzy, which probably rules Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City out. Sorry lads.
Miami boasts hot weather all year round and a certain Mr Beckham is still on the lookout for that marquee signing he's always banging on about. Blaise Matuidi doesn't count.
The hustle and bustle of New York or glamour of Los Angeles could also appeal to Messi.
What's more, he could always treat his MLS escapade as a gap year. A well earned recharged of the batteries before he rocks back up in Europe and begins wreaking havoc again before his career ends.
4. Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel, on behalf of all right-minded football fans, please don't do this.
Yes, Paris Saint-Germain boast some of the most scintillating offensive talent in the world. Yes, the city of love is a beautiful place to live. Yes, the Parisians are one of only a handful of clubs who could definitely afford to complete a deal.
Despite all this, we're not sure we could handle it in the Argentine magician ended up plying his trade for such an inherently dislikable organisation.
Imagine him back with Neymar and an added Kylian Mbappe though...
NO! You are not talking us around. We are definitely against this.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it could not happen.
5. Errr...Barcelona
We can't be the only who think that Messi will not accept his final ever game as a Barcelona player being an 8-2 defeat, can we?
Things might look shambolic right now but new manager Ronald Koeman is likely to promise anything to avoid being remembered as the Barça manager who let the GOAT leave.
Then there's the much maligned Josep Maria Bartomeu's recent claim that the player will retire at Camp Nou - not that the hated president will be around the club to witness that.
All this seems to point to the conclusion that despite strong indications to the contrary, Messi will be going nowhere this summer. At least he's got the prospect of playing with Miralem Pjanic to look forward to.