Many believe Lionel Messi will land up back at Barcelona at the end of the season as things stand, but doesn't a move to Manchester City make more sense?
Frustration in France
A return to the Blaugrana for Messi four months ago was deemed impossible. Today, the notion is gaining traction. He has a contract at Paris Saint-Germain that expires in June and has not extended it yet, amid rumours that talks have been placed on hold as both parties struggle to find common ground. It's music to the ears of all Barcelona fans. Believe it or not, some PSG supporters even love the way it sounds. In France, there is a feeling the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner couldn't really care less about the French giants. He is often blamed for the team's shortcomings in the UEFA Champions League, with many hoping the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will make way at the end of the campaign for players who do want to be there. These are obviously harsh accusations, but this is the cycle of being a PSG supporter. Excitement when a rich, high-profile footballer arrives, and anger when little comes of it.
Can he trust Barcelona again?
In terms of a fairy-tale end to what has been a remarkable career, it wouldn't get better than Messi returning to Barcelona, but the Spanish club's widely reported financial crisis remains far from fixed. President Joan Laporta might want Messi back at the Catalan club, but what he desires and what is possible are two different things, as perfectly displayed in 2021. Laporta wanted Messi to sign a new contract at Barca prior to his free-agent switch to Paris. The club's economic situation, however, coupled with LaLiga's unwillingness to bend their rules, meant it couldn't happen. The player himself would probably prefer returning to where it all started, the club with whom he celebrated four Champions League titles and scored 672 goals for, but how long should he be expected to wait for a formal offer to arrive? Can he trust them to even make one?
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Making the case for City
City, meanwhile, don't do business that way. Despite the allegations of financial foul play the Premier League champions are facing, allegations they are sure won't amount to anything, they remain incredibly powerful in the market. Top players from all around still dream of playing under Pep Guardiola, widely considered as the best manager in the sport, making recruitment for those upstairs relatively easy. You don't often hear of City actively pursuing a player and failing. What Guardiola wants, he generally gets. City went close to landing Messi's signature in 2020, after the Argentine submitted an official transfer request following a fallout with then-Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu. It looked certain that Messi would finally make his way to the Premier League. That didn't happen, of course, but wouldn't City pounce at the opportunity if it arose again? Well, it has! In less than three months' time, the 35-year-old will again become a free agent if nothing changes. Personnel alterations are expected in Guardiola's squad, with Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, two elite creative midfielders, among those linked with exits. Joining City would allow Messi the chance to spend a season or two in what many believe is the world's strongest league, competing for major honours across domestic and continental competitions in a squad so talented Guardiola can continue winning while rotating his starting XI on a weekly basis. This could appeal to Messi, who reportedly wants to stay in Europe at least until the next major international tournament in 2024. The Argentine would likely be picked in crucial league and European encounters, and have little to worry about when being left out, a luxury he hasn't been able to enjoy, not that he has always wanted to, at Barcelona and PSG. So, if I were on City's board, I'd be paying close attention to his situation in France and any movement or non-movements from Spain. They've tried so many times in the past to sign him – this could be their best chance yet.
By @KurtLaduma
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