Messi has stated many times that he always wanted to retire at Barcelona. He’s been at Barcelona since he was in short trousers and there’s no doubt that Messi loves Barcelona as much as Barcelona loves Messi. But things can change like that in Football, and even though Messi is 33, he’s still playing at the top of his game with no signs of slowing down. With a recent contract dispute with Barcelona, he thought he could leave last Summer, all signs point to Messi moving on in the Summer. But it would have to be a mighty club with a gargantuan wage bill to attract a real GOAT. Which club could he be moving to?
Paris St Germain
PSG have the bragging rights for the two most expensive transfers in World Football, Neymar and Mbappe, and appear to have an almost bottomless pit of funds. With those kinds of funds and players, they could potentially attract Messi. Currently, the press seems to think PSG are the most likely outcome. Neymar and Messi are of course ex-teammates, and although Neymar left in 2017, he had built up a great relationship with Messi. Having a front 3 of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi would be a Fifa Dream team, which could be unleashed in the Champions League next year. Now might be the time to look at bookmaker welcome offers and think about placing some preemptive bets on PSG winning the champions league next year.
Man City
While Pep Guardiola was at Barcelona, many pundits thought it was the greatest team to ever play the beautiful game. Pep not only got Barcelona winning but made Messi a better player, and a great friendship formed. Perhaps the allure of the greatest league in the world and a reunion with his former manager is enough to bring Messi to the Man City. The club certainly has enough money though is continuously plagued with pesky financial fair play allegations, so that could be an issue.
Juventus
Although some of you will say that Messi is unlikely to go to Barcelona, the same thing could have been said about Ronaldo. No one believed it would happen until Ronaldo was doing photo ops at the Allianz Arena. Last Summer Juventus made an offer to Messi, but Messi was contractually obliged to stay at Barcelona. So when Messi is a free agent this Summer perhaps the same offer will be accepted. For the past ten years, a debate has raged on over who is better Ronaldo or Messi? Whichever way you look at it the 1st and 2nd best players in the world at the same club would be a sight to behold. Although the press pits the two Adonises against each other, they have always appeared to be on friendly terms.
The China option
China has seriously committed to becoming a world power in the world of Football. They’ve swallowed many a fine player in there prime with absolutely ridiculous wages, such as Messi’s pal Javier Mascherano. We can’t be upset with players getting the maximum amount of money out of their short careers, and who knows how many millions Messi would be offered. Messi would probably still have a big-money offer in 3 or 4 years so he doesn’t need to cash in just yet, but it’s always possible.