One of the biggest questions in football following the fallout at Barcelona, is what now for Lionel Messi, we look at five different options?
Barcelona is a club in disarray. Long before the humiliating defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich, the Catalonian giants were already in trouble.
It is more than football and much more than the results. The club has been described as rotten to the core. Talk of financial woes, and disharmony in the dressing room.
Perhaps one of the biggest issues has been the future of Lionel Messi.
First, there was the get-out clause in his contract, then interest from Inter Milan among others. It has all been unsettling with very little reassurance from anyone.
Following the catastrophe in the Champions League, the sacking of Quique Setien seems rather inconsequential, the bigger issue is Messi.
The club’s talisman was apparently devastated by the result and this has now led to talk of him seriously reconsidering his future.
We take a look at his options.
Before we go any further let’s rule out the MLS, China, or any other money-motivated deal. He is too good and still has too much to offer at the top.
Route number one out of the Camp Nou is Inter Milan and the San Siro.
The Bianconerri has publicly admitted they would be interested in the player, but the financials would be something that may cause a stumbling block.
If Messi has had his fill at Barcelona, then the player himself can make this deal happen.
Plus the millions of Steven Zhang and his Chinese conglomerates could certainly help the issue. Let’s not forget Pirelli’s apparent willingness to help fund the deal of the century.
Next in line could be a reunion with old boss and mentor Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Citizens would have no problem bankrolling any deal, given their recent victory against UEFA FFP and the resources of their government-backed owners in Abu Dhabi.
Messi and Guardiola is like peanut butter and jelly. They are a player and manager match made in heaven.
Guardiola can guarantee the Argentine a starring role in his side and a fair crack at being champions domestically and on the continent.
Today’s gossip columns were filled with Graeme Souness banging on about Messi to United. As wild as it sounds, it is really not that far fetched.
Third, on our list is United. They are back in contention for top honors and can guarantee the player Champions League football.
Messi would be welcomed like a god at the Theatre of Dreams and money is certainly not a problem. It would also be the perfect stage to show the world that whatever Cristiano Ronaldo did at the club he can do better.
However, the biggest thing in the Red Devil’s favor should they really enter the race is Adidas.
The sporting giant is United’s shirt manufacturer and Messi’s main sponsor. They could play a huge role in putting together a deal that sees two of their biggest assets unite to conquer the footballing world.
Number four is a return home for the Atomic Flea.
The player himself has always maintained a return to where it all began at Newell’s has been part of his plan since he left as a teenage boy.
This perhaps the most far fetched of the choices as Argentine football has nothing financial to offer.
The player would almost have to subsidize the deal himself and earn a pittance compared to what he earns now or what could be offered elsewhere.
This would be a move of the heart and nothing else!
Last but by no means least is he stays where he is.
If Barcelona gets their house in order and brings in a manager that wants to play the Barcelona way he may yet be convinced to stay at Camp Nou.
Hey who knows, Guardiola may yet get fired from City and be reunited with Messi in Catalonia.
What is for certain whether he stays or whether he goes, it will take a great salesman to pitch the perfect future to Lionel Messi.
What do you think?
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