With it now looking more and more likely that the Argentine will depart Parc des Princes this summer, clubs are going to begin vying for his services
For the fourth game in a row, Barcelona fans at Camp Nou stopped singing club songs in the 10th minute as their side took on Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Instead, the 90,000 supporters in Barca shirts began chanting Lionel Messi's name, a chorus calling for the Argentine's return to Catalunya.
Club officials, meanwhile, have made no secret of their shared desire to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, publicly admitting in the past few weeks that they are in active negotiations to secure a sensational homecoming for a club legend.
And with a Paris Saint-Germain exit now looking increasingly likely, the Blaugrana might just fancy their chances.
After all, it does make a lot of sense. The door has always been open to a Barcelona reunion for Messi, especially given the fact that he never really wanted to leave anyway. Add to that the fact that Barca need someone to offer creativity in the final third, and there is a meeting of tactical sensibility and football romanticism here.
But there are other clubs out there who also wouldn't mind having Messi on their payroll, though it would be a complex agreement to come to. Messi would likely command wages in the range of his current PSG deal, with the Ligue 1 leaders paying him around €37 million (£33m/$41m) per year.
He would also need to be enticed by a viable sporting project. Champions League football is a bare minimum, and Messi would likely want to be in a situation where he could compete for a league title, too. That rules out most of Europe, with only a few clubs capable of making this deal happen.
But if not Barcelona, then who will Messi play for? GOAL takes a look at some of the Argentine's options…
MarcaManchester City
If Barcelona is the top destination for the football romantics, then Manchester City is arguably a close second.
It was Pep Guardiola who truly unlocked Messi's greatness by famously deploying him in a false nine role, and a reunion with the City boss would be a tantalising prospect.
There are a few tactical questions here. Primarily, where to fit Messi in a system geared towards Erling Haaland? Guardiola has tinkered to no end this season and seems to have finally settled on a line up that gets the best out of his side. And although Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva seem likely to depart this summer, Messi isn't a like-for-like replacement for either.
Still, if there's anyone that can fit the pieces together, it's Messi's former boss. And City, financial issues due to state money notwithstanding, could certainly throw a massive salary at him.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesManchester United
United do not need any more attacking midfielders or wingers. Erik ten Hag is already spoilt for choice at the position, and Bruno Fernandes isn't getting kicked out of the XI anytime soon — no matter who comes in.
But United have lamented their lack of goalscoring this season, despite Marcus Rashford's impressive return. And while Messi isn't the goalscorer he once was, his 800-plus career goals suggest that he can still pop up with one here and there. United also have enough defensive cover from midfield in the form of Casemiro for the Argentine to roam and create.
There is expected to be financial leverage in some form. While the Glazer family haven't been as quick to sell as previously assumed, there will undoubtedly be money for investment this summer. But they might turn to a striker, perhaps Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane, before addressing other positions.
This one is, admittedly, incredibly unlikely.
Getty ImagesChelsea
The last time Chelsea tried to sign a superstar, it helped push a very good manager out of the door.
But 36-year-old Messi is a different proposition than an immobile Cristiano Ronaldo. And there is a slither of reason behind this potentially working out.
Chelsea are due for a massive summer clearout. Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, N'Golo Kante and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all unlikely to be playing at Stamford Bridge next year. Add to that the fact that Joao Felix might not make his loan move permanent, and Chelsea do indeed have room for another creative player.
There will also be some connections here. Messi and Enzo Fernandez developed a terrific understanding for the national team, while Chelsea are expected to hire Messi's former PSG coach and fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino. Although the manager was let go in unspectacular terms from Parc des Princes, he has since revealed that he enjoyed working with the World Cup winner.
Chelsea, like United, need a striker. But signing Messi would be a typical move for rookie owner Todd Boehly.
GettyBayern Munich
Bayern have been something of a mess under new manager Thomas Tuchel. The Bavarians have struggled for both form and results, have crashed out of the Champions League and now find themselves sat in second place in the Bundesliga.
The reasons for their poor run are many, but a lack of attacking quality certainly hasn't helped. While these problems aren't always solved by individuals, the insertion of Messi into Tuchel's 3-4-3 could certainly help.
A Tuchel system would theoretically limit Messi's defensive responsibilities, too, with a hard-working wing-back outside him to offer cover. Add to that the fact that Bayern often face sides who like to sit in, and Messi seems an interesting tactical fit.
There is, of course, the financial issue. Bayern were reluctant to shell out the necessary cash for a 21-year-old Haaland last summer, and it's hard to imagine them spending more on wages for an ageing Messi.