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The Biggest Transfer In Football History - Where will Messi's Last Stand end?

Lionel Messi is the greatest club football player in history. No ifs. No buts. With his blend of seemingly unstoppable talent and alien-like technical ability, he has won everything he could possibly win in club football and has set the bar higher than ever before. With 34 major titles won wearing the famed Barcelona shirt and with 1021 goal contributions in his 894 appearances, there is no question why Barca executives don't want to see Messi depart Camp Nou. But with his heart set on a move away from the famed Spanish squad, the question on everyone's mind is "Where will he end up?". The finger obviously points to big-money clubs such as Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain, but with the Argentine still proving his worth in 2021, could a move away from the comfort of his hometown upset both his fanbase and his legacy? 

Messi has been set on a move away from Barcelona since the humiliation they suffered against Bayern Munich in the 2019 Champions League quarter-finals, which saw the eventual champions battering Messi's Barca 8:2. Since then, although his output hasn't made headlines, he has still produced at a high level and has proved that despite his age, he is still worthy of the title of King of Club Football. So with that in mind, his final transfer decision is one that must be made with extreme caution. 

Let's break it down, as of now, the front runners to sign Messi are Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and David Beckham's Inter Miami. Each club is very appealing to Messi as they all offer world-class teammates and an opportunity to add to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet. However, they also all offer a potentially devastating stain on both Messi's reputation and success. 

Manchester City 

Messi's reconciliation with Pep Guardiola is one that would have football fans screaming with joy and opposing managers running in terror. Their combined success at Barcelona led them to 14 titles over 4 years, something that could be easily replicated at Manchester City by adding Messi to an already world-class squad and might be the final piece that City need to capture their elusive Champions League dreams. However, this wouldn't be Messi's main concern. The Premier League is regarded as one of the most competitive and tough leagues in world football, testing the very best of all who arrive there. As Messi has never played outside of Spanish leagues, his inability to adapt to his new surroundings could have a potentially fatal effect on his legacy if he is not able to perform. Yes, his ability may be alien, but the Premier League curse is something that has taken down some of the best young talents on the planet, and if Messi is not careful, he could be next. 

Paris Saint Germain 

As France's most successful club, PSG has both the prestige and the resources to bring the 6 time Ballon d'Or winner to the French capital. With talent and depth at almost every position and with a newly appointed manager at the helm, the addition of Messi would guarantee another league title and the opportunity to add the Champions League to their list. Furthermore, as part of their contact offer, PSG have offered Messi a golden retirement plan in the MLS, where after his career at PSG he would then transfer to David Beckham's Inter Miami and effectivley finish his career there. This sounds like the ideal transfer for Messi as not only would he have the chance to add more silverware to his name but also remain dominant with no real risk of failure. This is without question the safest route that Messi could take but could also be the most damaging to his career. PSG have dominated France's Ligue 1 over the last decade, winning 7 league titles in the last 8 years, so accomplishing this feat again will bring no new glory. In addition, with the strike force of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, PSG will be the overwhelming faviourtes in the Champions League. Therefore, anything less than victory will be considered a failure and with no real opposition in France, this seems like a waste of Messi's world-class talent. 

Inter Miami 

The MLS's recent resergence in the last few years has attracted the attention and services of some of football's greatest talents. It has also attracted the attention of Lionel Messi who has voiced his desire to one day play in the MLS alongside players such as Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain. Let's face it, there is worst places to retire, but Messi has proved that despite his age, he is stil able to produce at the highest level and his talents would therefore be wasted against MLS sides. Yes, the MLS is beginning to be more competitive, but it is still in its infancy and serves more as a playground for old football legends rather than a league that is taken seriously. If Messi were to end up here, not only would it be a true waste of his talent, but would also cause a serious dent in both his legacy and his repuation has the worlds greatest. 

As a great supporter of the Premier League, nothing would delight me more than to see Messi on a weekly basis, terrorising the 'Big Six' and going on to win a 5th Champions League title with Manchester City. However, this transfer also imposes the biggest risk to reward ratio for Messi and is probably why in the summer of 2021, we are more likley to see Messi in the blue and white strip of PSG or edging into his retirement home with Inter Miami. 



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  1. Stevo 57January 11, 2021 at 10:40 AM

    I’m with you Bridgey, in a City shirt and on the box every week !
    Great article.

    ReplyDelete

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