Best Landing Spots for Lionel Messi Amid Transfer Rumors
Lionel Messi will playing somewhere other than the City of Lights next season.
The newly crowned World Champion has been widely reported to be departing PSG and will find pastures new -- or old -- when the summer transfer window begins.
Even at the ripe old age of 35, he remains an incredibly hot property who will have plenty of options ahead of him. Which potential clubs make sense? Should he take on a new challenge or return home?
Let's talk through it.
Barcelona
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As long as Messi is involved in football, he will be linked with Barcelona. Even beyond his playing days, we can expect years and years of the Blaugrana legend being touted as manager, board member and even president.
Since he left Catalonia in 2021 barely a week has gone by without Messi being linked with a return.
Part of this is because he was robbed of a proper Barcelona send-off. Messi's tears during his farewell conference echoed that of anyone who wanted to see a justified end to his era-defining spell at the club. From teen to top of the world, the story deserves proper closure.
Lovely narrative aside, the reality of the situation is that Barcelona may never be able to afford Messi again. Getting his wages off the salary bill was a necessary evil, and since he left, things haven't exactly improved financially.
There doesn't seem to be a world where Messi's return would be sustainable, especially at a time where Barca have asked players to take pay cuts and can't even register wonderkid Gavi.
While a Barcelona return might make sense for Messi, and the beautiful narrative, it doesn't make sense for the club. They are on the verge of securing a first La Liga title since his departure, real on-pitch progress that signals a beginning to the moving on process.
Common sense suggests there's no real need to start undoing the hard yards made after Messi's departure.
MLS
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Footballing icons heading to the United States in the twilight of their careers is a well-trodden path. The likes of Pele, David Beckham and Thierry Henry lead an incredible list. Most recently, Gareth Bale showed how diminishing quality at an elite European side can still lead to success in the MLS. Messi is yet to suffer this drop-off, though.
It's Beckham who may lead the charge for this transfer to happen. The Inter Miami owner has long been linked with seducing Messi, and it makes complete sense. Miami probably haven't hit the immediate heights many expected in their infancy and are searching for a standout season to act as a building block for the club's future.
It has to be tempting for Messi, who would be on good money, in a great city and with a chance to create history somewhere fresh. New career avenues would likely open up if he resided in America; perhaps with his post-career opportunities in mind. After a long and tiring career in Europe, it could be difficult to turn that down.
Manchester
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Notice the lack of definition between United and City here. If major clubs other than Barca are going to be linked to Messi, you can bet the Premier League juggernauts will be among the chatter.
We are just a couple of years on from City reportedly offering Leo astronomical cash to dominate at the Etihad Stadium. You sense if the opportunity arises, there will always be a place for Messi alongside Pep Guardiola in England. The thought of Messi feeding Erling Haaland could make the rest of the football world want to shut down.
It also wouldn't be a surprise to see a bid for Messi from across the city when you consider Manchester United are likely on the verge of a takeover.
Any new owners will want to make a statement signing as soon as possible. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has shown a reliance on moulding older players to his system, with Christian Eriksen a fine example of how footballing IQ can outweigh slowing legs in his control-based style.
Messi would naturally fit into the space behind the striker that United will undoubtedly sign in the summer to finally replace Cristiano Ronaldo. As the club invites a third round of bids for ownership, we should start to see who the serious contenders are. Messi links could soon follow if the Glazers are to be ousted.
Saudi Arabia
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Talking of Ronaldo, his move to Saudi Arabia has amplified suggestions Messi could also head out to the Middle East.
A recent Marca report indicated Messi would be offered the same stunning wage packet. Al-Hilal are cited as the likeliest destination, so he'd once again be lining up against his long-time rival, who is enjoying the kind of goalscoring form you'd expect with Al-Nassr.
However, it was public knowledge Ronaldo didn't have many options upon leaving United, a situation perhaps exacerbated by his interview with Piers Morgan. Messi will have more suitors just by way of not being so controversial and the kind of player who continues to adapt his game with age. When Ronaldo has slowed, Messi has won a World Cup.
As we saw in the Qatar tournament, the Argentina hero is still absolutely top level. Aside from cash, there doesn't seem to be too much reason for Messi to pick Saudi Arabia at this stage.
Return Home to Argentina
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The outpouring of love for Argentina's World Cup-winning squad must be an attractive prospect for everyone in that team. It has to feel even more special for Messi, a player who has carried the weight and the burden of the nation on his shoulders for the best part of 20 years. So much blame has been eradicated, with an iconic victory remaining in its place.
Messi confidant Sergio Agüero recently suggested he could be tempted to turn down any other advances to return to Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club. It would be a popular move and something of a victory tour, the return of a distant son who achieved it all. But it does feel too soon.
A homecoming shouldn't be dismissed sometime in the future. Messi left Argentina for Barcelona 23 years ago. It would certainly be strange to never see him play club football in his own country. But now is not that time.
Retirement
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NO! I can't do it. Not yet. Messi will play forever and that's the end of it. Cheers.
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