Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi handed in a transfer request, saying that he wants to leave the club after plying his trade for close to two decades.
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in soccer history, has informed Barcelona that he intends to leave the club with immediate effect and to do so by activating a clause in his contract that would mean the team where he has spent his entire career would not receive a cent in compensation.
Messi, 33, has spent the days since Barcelona’s humiliation by Bayern Munich, in the Champions League quarterfinals just over a week ago, watching his club descend into yet another bout of internal turmoil. Quique Setién, the manager, and the sporting director, Eric Abidal, both departed, and Ronald Koeman, a former Barcelona player, was appointed as coach.
https://twitter.com/goal/status/1299861892920479746
He’s scored more goals in the history of La Liga than anybody else, and still holds the record for assist. He has won more Ballons d’Or — the prestigious trophy awarded annually to the best player in the world — than anyone else, participated in more victories than any other player in Barcelona, scored more hat-tricks, and doubles than anybody.
As Messi first grew into his generation’s best player and then, probably, the best in history, Barcelona has become arguably the world’s most famous sports team. The club embodied the gold standard in football for nearly a decade.
The club would want to sign the Argentine, however, only a few can afford him. Here we look at his options.
1) Man City:
As per reports, Manchester City is viewed as the current odds-on favorite to land Messi. The city have the resources and can meet his wage expectations.
2) PSG: Messi could team up with Neymar at PSG
Paris Saint-Germain, who were the beaten finalists in the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 season, have the resources and firepower just like Man City to get Messi. PSG can outbid anyone in the market and the prospect of re-uniting Messi with Neymar could tempt the French champions.
3) Inter Milan: Milan are also in the mix
Italian club Inter Milan are also in the mix and could entice Messi. They finished second in the Serie A and were the runners-up in Europa League. Messi maintains a good relation with Inter’s director of football Javier Zanetti.
4) Man United: Manchester United are making a serious attempt to lure Messi
According to a report in Spanish national television network Cuatro, Manchester United are making a serious attempt to lure the Argentine. United are yet to sign a player this summer and could make an audacious bid for the legend.
Besides United, the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are also in the list to sign Barcelona Star.
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