Lionel Messi and His Next Chapter
Lionel Messi is expected to take his talent elsewhere next season, reports shared after the Argentinian forward’s departure from French outfit PSG was confirmed. He departs the club alongside former Real Madrid star defender Sergio Ramos after the pair played their final game for the club last weekend.
The legendary player leaves PSG after two seasons at the Ligue 1 side. He closes his chapter with the French team with 31 goals and 34 assists in two seasons, winning two trophies with the club, the league title, and the French Super Cup. With that page closed, what’s next for the soccer superstar?
Lionel Messi’s Possible Destinations
A Trip to the Middle East
As per reports, Messi will not renew his PSG contract following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. His departure closes the books to the trio of Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar. Moreover, Lionel Messi’s two-year contract with the Ligue 1 side expires at the end of June this year, making him a free agent starting then. Of course, the question that comes into play would be which club could attract the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal reportedly sent a formal offer to Lionel Messi for next season. The Middle Eastern team did not comment further on the request. The offer is the only one Messi looked at so far according to sources. The 35-year-old is a Saudi ambassador for tourism and his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, recently signed for Saudi unit Al-Nassr late last year in a deal north of $200 million per year.
Barca Homecoming
A Barcelona return would shake up La Liga once again. Xavi once played alongside Messi under decorated head coach Pep Guardiola. The Spanish club ruled European and international soccer during their time. The 43-year-old manager reiterated that he would welcome Messi back with open arms, where the forward scored 672 career goals–including a 50-goal season nearly a decade ago and four Champions League titles before departing Barcelona.
Xavi is not the only influential person keen to bring Messi back to the La Liga heavyweights. Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants Messi back. The only hurdles they face are the steep debts and the organization facing investigation because of unauthorized payments to a company linked to a Spanish refereeing official.
The Premier League Dream
When Messi was obligated to leave Barcelona in 2021, he was linked with a move to Premier League juggernauts Manchester City. It made sense since it reunites him with his former mentor Pep Guardiola. However, the 2023 English champions already have a primary scoring option in Erling Haaland and a talented playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. The pair gel well with a deep squad of other creative midfielders and imposing defenders.
This time, rumors linking Messi and the Premier League surfaced once more. The Argentine earns over $40 million annually with PSG and Abu-Dhabi-backed City could easily match those numbers even if it means having him for only a season. But, the bigger question is how would the fabled player adjust to the highly-physical league at 36 years old.
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