Barcelona Transfer News: Lionel Messi to PSG Rumours Sparked by Eric Abidal

Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal believes there is a "possibility" Lionel Messi would like the chance to play for Paris Saint-Germain or another major club that could offer him trophies.

Abidal, a close friend of Messi after his time at the Camp Nou, spoke to TF1 (translated by Ian Holyman of ESPN FC):

"

Having won everything with Barcelona, perhaps he would like a different challenge, being able to win trophies with another club, that remains a possibility.

It's true that PSG have, for a while now, been able to put a good squad together, a good team with an attitude, a desire, a determination and objectives to be achieved. It's perhaps a club that he would like.

"

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Messi was linked with a move away from Barcelona throughout the January transfer window. He has stated he wishes to remain at the club "forever," per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, something Abidal perhaps questions with his comments.

Things were certainly going well for Messi in 2015 before Barca's disappointing loss to Malaga. The Argentinian has racked up 14 goals in 12 appearances since the turn of the year, assisting seven, per WhoScored.com. This has taken him to 37 strikes and 15 assists in total this season, a turn of form that signals he has put last year's disappointing inconsistency behind him.

However, he was unable to save Barca against Malaga, a defeat that leaves the side four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. PSG aren't performing much better in France and are currently two points adrift of an impressive Lyon team in the race for the title.

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PSG's investment and individual stars suggest the club should be breezing to the crown on an annual basis. While it's likely the club could afford Messi's arrival, the financial terms involved would likely force PSG into breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules again.

President Nasser Al Khelaifi has previously suggested he isn't interested in landing La Liga's two biggest players. He also indicated any change of heart would be run by the relevant club before breaking in the press, per Sport (h/t Holyman):

"

The media speak about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That's fine for them, but it's not good for Barcelona or Real Madrid or us. Messi and Ronaldo are at home in Barcelona and Madrid.

I respect these two clubs and I have good relations with their presidents. I respect them a lot. If we were interested in a player of one of these two clubs, I would speak about it to their president. Messi and Ronaldo are happy in their clubs. I respect that.

"

Messi's qualities are highlighted below:

Abidal was likely speaking philosophically, but it's interesting to consider whether Messi would give up life at Barcelona to forge a path elsewhere.

He has won it all in Spain—both with his club and individually—smashing a plethora of records in the process. PSG are likely to be a gold mine for success in the coming years and could represent an easier destination to grab silverware as Messi begins to edge towards 30 years old.

It's difficult to consider a Barcelona squad without its talisman, such is his lasting impact. Messi's natural ability would allow him to thrust any side toward success, but he may have to wait until Zlatan Ibrahimovic moves on before even considering PSG.

The pair struggled to form a partnership at Barcelona, and each desires to be the most important player on his club.