6 Ballon d'Ors, 4 Champions League Titles, 10 La Liga Titles and 34 trophies in all..are mind boggling achievements of Lionel Messi when the Argentine star striker doned the jersey for Barcelona FC and etched his name as the greatest footballer in the 21st century over a 16-decade career with the Spanish giants..
Messi's endless list of personal honours and accolades and Barcelona FC's stupendous success both in the highly competitive Spanish La Liga and top flight European football have gone hand in hand over a fairy tale journey which has lasted nearly two decades..
However, the end to the Glorious Messi era in Barcelona was scripted in a heart breaking 2-8 loss to German club and eventual champions Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals at the 2020 UEFA Champions League a few weeks back..A trophy less season both in the La Liga and Europe left Messi completely drenched and pretty critical of how the dynamics at the club were shaping up under new coach Quique Setién.
Messi's once loyal heart certainly does not lie in the shores of Catalunia and his mind signaled him to set sail outside the Mediterranean nation for a brighter career prospect.
The inevitable seperation of Messi and Barcelona seems rather near as Messi is in no mood to reconsider his rather shocking decision after talks with Ronald Koeman and the top brass at the Catalan club could not bear any influence on his decision...
With Messi's farewell at Barcelona coming sooner than later, the soccer superstar searches for greener pastures outside Spain and for the stature he commands in the world football landscape, the potential destinations could be one of the top clubs in the English Premier League, Italian Serie A or French Ligue.
If one were to go by the sheer buzz around the world of football following Messi dropping a bombshell on FC Barcelona; Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) , Inter Milan and even Manchester United seem to be the most likely destinations where the world class striker could land up and charter his footballing career.
It is not just about Messi walking out of Camp Nou as a free agent but also the fact that the Argentina brings along a major cost in terms of the daily / weekly wages he seeks for the invaluable service he renders as a multi-role world class striker or winger.
So let us take a look at the which five international clubs could be the most lucrative destination for Lionel Messi to re-charter his soccer career once he departs from Camp Nou
MANCHESTER CITY
Going by the current financial status and the negotiation which can be brought to the table, English Premier League club Manchester City seem to be the number one contender as they have huge volumes of cash as well as Pep Guardiola as their coach who has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Leo in his previous coaching stint at Barcelona.
It is reported that Man City wouldn't have to pay his release clause but the Premier League giants can definitely afford his high wages. More importantly, Messi still holds Guardiola in very high esteem and considers the Spaniard as the best coach he has ever played under across his club career in Barcelona.
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN
Ligue 1 powerhouse and 2020 UEFA Champions League finalist Paris Saint Germain will surely be eyeing the possibility of snapping up Lionel Messi and fullfil their dream of reuniting the Argentine striker with his former Barcelona team mate Neymar.
It is no hidden secret that Messi constantly requested Barcelona to re-sign Neymar in the past season but now a reverse scenario has come to the fold with the Argentine forward having a wonderful prospect of teaming up with the Brazilian at the Parc des Princes instead.
PSG are also in a healthy financial state and much like Man City, they are one of the few top flight clubs in Europe that can afford Messi his mammoth wages. More so, the Parisians are coming off a defeat in the Champions League final and would be contenders again next season with Lionel Messi in the fold.
INTER MILAN
Inter Milan could also be one of the top contender who could bid aggressively to get the services of Lionel Messi at San Siro. With Chinese firm Suning Group Holdings having major ambitious to revive Inter into a notable force in European football, they could not have a better opportunity to rope in the best players into their ranks and make a realistic bid to fullfil their dreams.
As per media reports, Messi has bought a new home in Milan, which has triggered more fuel to the ever growing speculations that the star footballer could be making Northern Italy his permanent base. However, if we pure took footballing perspective into mind, Messi might not fight into the style of play and scheme of things Milan's current coach Antonio Conte has envisaged for the club.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-managed Manchester United are desperately looking to re-establish their claim as the Numero Uno team in the English Premier League. The Red Devils are still very much a work-in-progress outfit as they made good progress over the 2019/20 campaign, finishing third to qualify for the Champions League.
Manchester United also happen to be one of the few clubs alongside rivals Man City who could possibly bear Messi’s extraordinary wages and that makes them a lucrative destination for the Argentine. The fans at Old Trafford would love to witness the Argentine don the Red Jersey and play alongside a galaxy of star players in Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.