The countdown has begun for Lionel Messi’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the club. The recent defeat against Lyon at the Parc des Princes left a sour taste for PSG fans, with a fraction of them venting their frustrations by booing the Argentine legend. This loss marks the seventh one for the team this year, including yet another heartbreaking exit from the coveted Champions League tournament.
It’s decision time for the little magic man who set Paris ablaze with his arrival in August 2021. With his two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain coming to an end in June, Messi is now standing at a crossroads.
Where Will Lionel Messi Go Next?
The latest buzz surrounding the 35-year-old wizard has thrown the world of football into a frenzy. As he draws closer to the end of his illustrious career, he continues to defy his age, proving that he still has miles to go. Just a few months ago, he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup, showcasing his formidable skills and sheer dominance on the field. Even amid the collective struggles of his current team, Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has managed to bag an impressive 18 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
Given his outstanding performance and status as one of the greatest footballers of all time, it comes as no surprise that the hunt for his signature is already heating up. With suitors lining up from across the world, let’s take a closer look at the top contenders vying for Messi’s services.
Barcelona
The most natural path for Lionel Messi would be to return to his spiritual home, Barcelona. The magician left behind a legacy of mesmerizing skills, mind-boggling goals, and an insatiable hunger for success during his time at Camp Nou. With an astounding 672 goals and 35 trophies in 778 appearances, Messi’s records with the Catalan giants are nothing less than legendary.
Moreover, Barcelona FC has made no secret of their desire to re-sign their most successful player of all time. The club’s manager, and former teammate of Messi, Xavi Hernandez, has openly discussed the possibility of Messi’s return. Furthermore, Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has held talks with Messi’s father, Jorge, to express the club’s interest in bringing GOAT back home.
Despite the club’s ongoing financial struggles, vice-president Rafa Yuste has confirmed that Barcelona is exploring all avenues to make Messi’s return a reality. Nonetheless, a return to Barca would allow Messi to add another chapter to his already glittering career, and the opportunity to inspire a new generation of fans with his mesmerizing game on the pitch.
It’s important to remember that Messi’s departure from Barcelona in August 2021 was not of his own choosing. In his farewell speech, a tearful Messi expressed his deep attachment to the club he had called home for over two decades. “We were convinced we were continuing here, at home,” he said. “I did all that I could to stay, because I wanted to stay.”
Inter Miami
The Sunshine State of Florida has emerged as a prominent contender in the race to secure Lionel Messi’s services. The MLS franchise, co-owned by football legend David Beckham and coached by Phil Neville, has also been trying to bring the Argentine superstar to Miami. In fact, the club has gone to great lengths to entice Messi, sparing no expense in their pursuit of the legendary player.
Rumours have been swirling since February when reports suggested that Miami is ‘confident’ of securing Messi’s signature on a deal that would make him the highest-paid player in MLS history. It’s clear that the club’s management is pulling out all the stops to make this happen, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
The sun-kissed city has always held a special place in Messi’s heart, as he is known to have enjoyed some well-deserved downtime in Miami. However, it remains to be seen what he thinks about the idea of making a permanent move. Moreover, Inter Miami would also have to muster up enough star power to lure the icon to their ranks.
Al-Hilal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile move to Al-Nassr earlier this year has done more than just make headlines. It has opened up an exciting new frontier for football in a region known for its immense wealth: Saudi Arabia.
With a desire to host the 2030 World Cup, the Saudi Arabian football market is keen to make a splash on the global stage. And what better way to do that than by bringing together two of the greatest footballers of all time? Reports suggest that Al-Hillal, one of Al-Nassr’s biggest rivals, is willing to shell out a mind-boggling 245 million GBP per year to lure Lionel Messi to their team – a sum that would dwarf Ronaldo’s 177 million GBP per year salary.
It might sound like a long shot, but in the unpredictable world of football, stranger things have happened. As the race to secure Messi’s signature heats up, the prospect of a Ronaldo vs Messi reunion in Saudi Arabia is one that could well become a reality. The stakes are high, the money is astronomical, and the world is watching with bated breath to see how this saga will unfold.
