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Where might Lionel Messi go next after Paris St Germain spell ends?
Where might Lionel Messi go next after Paris St Germain spell ends?
Lionel Messi’s two-year spell at Paris St Germain ended in a 3-2 home defeat to Clermont Foot at the weekend. An option to extend his stay with the Ligue 1 champions has not been activated with the Argentina World Cup winner heavily linked with a return to Barcelona, although he does have other alternatives. Here, the PA news agency looks at where the 35-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might go next. Barcelona Considering Messi never really wanted to leave and was effectively forced out as the club’s financial problems meant they could not afford to renew his contract, due to wage cap issues, a return to his spiritual home in Catalonia, the Nou Camp seems the obvious choice. Even last summer, club president Joan Laporta said it was the club’s responsibility to “find a moment to fix that chapter” so it has “a more beautiful ending”. However, despite losing the long-serving Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba off the wage bill for next season, the club still have to cut costs to satisfy LaLiga and that remains a huge stumbling block. Al Hilal One place where money is not an issue is Saudi Arabia – for whom Messi is already a tourism ambassador – and the Saudi Pro League has already attracted Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Nassr this year. He has been linked with Al Hilal, who would have no problems enhancing his net annual salary of £31million, but Ronaldo’s experience since arriving five months ago, with reports suggesting he is not happy, may influence Messi’s thinking and a year after winning the World Cup, he may not be ready to step away from the limelight. Inter Miami While not an elite-level club, David Beckham’s Inter Miami has long been touted as a final destination for the South American and if he were to move to the United States, he would become Major League Soccer’s highest-profile signing and highest-paid player in history. Messi, who has a home in Miami, has spoken in the past of wanting to play in America and the lifestyle in Florida – which has a large Hispanic community – would appeal. He would, however, again have to accept his days at the very highest level are over and also have to accept a significant pay cut. Manchester City It seems slightly more fanciful for Messi to consider a reunion with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. While that move would be based on mutual respect and emotional ties, it could be argued Messi needs the all-conquering Premier League champions, who could win a treble if they beat Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final, more than City do. They are probably the only English club who could afford him but it is debatable whether they would want to invite that extra scrutiny, with more than 100 Premier League charges regarding financial fair play already hanging over them.
2023-06-05 20:22
Atlanta Braves Rumors: Rotation outlook, Freddie Freeman's return, a wasted trade fit
Atlanta Braves Rumors: Rotation outlook, Freddie Freeman's return, a wasted trade fit
Braves Rumors: Freddie Freeman returns to Atlanta againFreddie Freeman will always have fond memories of the ATL, but last season's first trip home hit a little different.The Braves were the only organization Freeman had ever known. It made his decision to leave all the more difficult. Wh...
2023-05-23 00:26
Cowboys Bailed Out by Extremely Weak Illegal Contact Penalty vs. Rams
Cowboys Bailed Out by Extremely Weak Illegal Contact Penalty vs. Rams
It was very bad and led to a Cowboys' TD.
2023-10-30 01:57
Verstappen masters Dutch chaos for record-equalling ninth straight win
Verstappen masters Dutch chaos for record-equalling ninth straight win
Max Verstappen savoured a "special" home win in a chaotic, deluge-hit and red-flagged Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday to match Sebastian Vettel's record...
2023-08-28 01:15
Blow it all up: 3 players Raiders should trade in another disappointing season
Blow it all up: 3 players Raiders should trade in another disappointing season
The Las Vegas Raiders need to consider all of their options after another disappointing start in 2023. As the trade deadline looms, the Raiders have options.
2023-09-26 05:17
Nikita Kucherov scores twice, Lightning beat Canucks 4-3 to end 3-game winless streak
Nikita Kucherov scores twice, Lightning beat Canucks 4-3 to end 3-game winless streak
Nikita Kucherov scored twice and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Thursday night to end a three-game winless streak
2023-10-20 10:17
Kenyan record-breaker Faith Kipyegon plans double at worlds
Kenyan record-breaker Faith Kipyegon plans double at worlds
Kenya's record-breaking running star Faith Kipyegon confirmed on Friday she will go for a 1,500m-5,000m double at the world...
2023-07-07 23:49
Spain is removing the word 'women' from national team name to show 'conceptual shift'
Spain is removing the word 'women' from national team name to show 'conceptual shift'
By eliminating the phrase for “women’s soccer” from the name of its national team, the Spanish Football Federation is hoping to show it has made a “conceptual shift” in its view of the sport
2023-09-23 01:17
Duke's quick turnaround brings Mike Elko a contract extension through the 2029 season
Duke's quick turnaround brings Mike Elko a contract extension through the 2029 season
Duke has extended coach Mike Elko’s contract through 2029 after he led the Blue Devils to nine wins and was named Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year in his first season
2023-07-25 03:53
Love tames the Lions in Packers upset win
Love tames the Lions in Packers upset win
Jordan Love led the Green Bay Packers to a Thanksgiving Day surprise win as they beat the in-form Detroit Lions 29-22 in the opening of...
2023-11-24 05:24
Murray slams Wimbledon 'disaster' after poster snub of female stars
Murray slams Wimbledon 'disaster' after poster snub of female stars
Andy Murray labelled a controversial poster of former Wimbledon greats as a "disaster" after the Scot highlighted the lack of...
2023-06-29 03:17
Dele Alli opens up on secret rehab stint in emotional interview with Gary Neville
Dele Alli opens up on secret rehab stint in emotional interview with Gary Neville
Dele Alli has emotionally revealed he returned from a six-week rehab stint just three weeks ago, after becoming concerned about his mental wellbeing and a growing 'addiction' to sleeping pills. The football ace sat down with Gary Neville on The Overlap, who struggled to hold back tears, as the 27-year-old told of the tragic last 12 months. "I was in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm. I was waking up every day, winning the fight going into training every day smiling - willing to show I was happy", he said. "Inside I was losing the battle and it was time to change." Click here to sign up for our newsletters
2023-07-13 19:57