Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona has sent shockwaves not only in La Liga, but also in the world of football.
Despite coming to terms with a new agreement that would see the Blaugrana pay Messi half of what he was making in his previous megadeal, Barcelona’s financial difficulties as well as La Liga’s regulations made the extension untenable.
Heading into the new season, the Catalan giants were installed as one of the favourites to win the Spanish top-flight trophy. However, with Messi on his way out, Barcelona’s La Liga 2021 odds have plummeted to a certain extent.
What’s next for Lionel Messi? Certainly with this piece of La Liga 2021 news, the biggest clubs are all going after the Argentine talisman and they are more than willing to break the bank for his services.
Messi after all is one of the sport’s all-time greats and even at his advancing age, he’s shown that he can still carry a squad on and off the pitch.
With Barcelona out of the equation, the Lionel Messi sweepstakes have reopened once more but which clubs are likely to acquire his services?
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down four destinations that makes sense for the global icon.
Chelsea
Over the past few seasons, Chelsea have shown their willingness to use their chequebook in order to bolster their roster.
Last summer, they spent north of 200-M Euros for the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, and Kai Havertz – which eventually led to them winning the Champions League.
Team owner Roman Abramovich maintained the same approach this offseason when they tried to poach Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
However, the two Bundesliga contenders didn’t budge so it would be wise for the Blues to turn their attention to Lionel Messi.
It’ll be fun to see the Argentine superstar link up with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, and Kai Havertz, while Jorginho and N’Golo Kante can hold it down in the midfield.
Chelsea are quite a deep squad and they’ve already shown their winning pedigree under Thomas Tuchel, so that ticks one box to one of Messi’s main priorities.
If this would somehow happen, Stamford Bridge will be in a state of pandemonium during the new Premier League season since they will be legitimate challengers to dethrone Manchester City.
Manchester City
Speaking of Manchester City, they also have a strong case why Lionel Messi should go there.
First, the club has deep financial pockets as shown in their recent acquisition of Jack Grealish. And second, Messi will get to reunite with an old friend.
Lionel Messi had some of his best years in a Barca uniform playing under Pep Guardiola since the pair enjoyed unparalleled success together.
From 2008 to 2012, Messi and Guardiola won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies through their famed tiki-taka tactics.
A frontline of Lionel Messi, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling would guarantee numerous goals every game especially with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden manning the midfield.
Like Chelsea, moving to the Etihad makes sense for the 34-year-old since he’s on a win-now mode.
Juventus
Joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus is the real fantasy scenario, but this shouldn’t be ruled out by Lionel Messi’s camp.
The GOAT comparisons between the duo has always been a salient point in football debates and bringing the two together in one team would be incomprehensible.
This appears to be a long shot since Juventus are strapped for cash and the only way to make this work is if either one of them takes a massive paycut.
Juventus have been wanting to win the Champions League trophy especially in these past few years and perhaps pulling this off would put them one step closer to achieving that elusive goal.
PSG
Or Lionel Messi can reunite with his friends Neymar and Angel Di Maria in Paris to form one of the best attacking units ever without having to sacrifice a single cent.
The combination of Messi, Neymar, Di Maria, Mbappe, Icardi, and Paredes is going to be unfair, which might eventually lead to achieving the club’s main objective.
PSG’s ownership has made it clear that winning the Champions League trophy is their main priority and there’ll be no excuses if they can add a player of Messi’s calibre.
This summer alone, the Parisians have already acquired Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Sergio Ramos via transfers to address their lineup needs.
They’re definitely going all in this upcoming season. And based on recent reports, all signs are pointing for Lionel Messi to join them soon.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
