If Messi leaves Barcelona, these are the three most likely teams he will join and why
The news that Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona is no longer news but it has put three clubs around Europe on alert. Now 33, the Argentine’s best days may be behind him but he still has an enormous amount to give wherever he ends up, should he leave the Camp Nou.
Here comes a look at the three leading contenders to sign the No.10 – Inter, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter: To rekindle La Liga rivalry with arch-rivals Cristiano Ronaldo
The Italians have had dreams of signing the No.10 for quite some time now and La Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that they have 260 millions euros ready to go and spend on him.
Both Messi and Inter dominated Gazzetta’s front page again on Friday after the player’s meeting with new coach Ronald Koeman, and the Nerazzurri are of the belief that he could elevate them above Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus. It would be a challenge for Messi to go to Milan and try to overtake Cristiano and Juve, reigniting the rivalry they had in El Clasico in the Derby d’Italia.
Messi’s father has already bought a house in Milan’s Porta Nuova area, which is one of the city’s most exclusive districts.
Manchester City: Re-union with former manager Guardiola and old friend Aguero
City are synonymous with Pep Guardiola, under whom Messi enjoyed arguably the best football of his incredible career. The English side are one of few in a financial position to sign him, and British media outlets have reported that the only thing missing in a deal to take him to the Etihad Stadium is the player’s approval.
Desperate to finally win the Champions League, signing the Argentine would help them on their way, and Messi would join one of his closest friends, Sergio Aguero, at the club.
Paris Saint-Germain: To form the MNM partenership with Neymar and Mbappe
PSG are the other side who would do whatever they can to sign Messi. The French champions and Champions League runners-up already have Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their ranks, and the Brazilian’s presence could help them. Messi is keen to play alongside Neymar again and has wanted him to return to Barcelona since his 2017 departure. Barcelona’s failure to sign Neymar last summer was the first cause of Messi’s frustrations this season, but he could go on to form a frightening front three in Paris.
Via Marca