Where will Lionel Messi go after PSG? David Beckham link-up, Barcelona return and Saudi all options for superstar
Lionel Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain is over after manager Christophe Galtier confirmed the Argentine’s departure.
Messi embarked on an unauthorised two-day trip to Saudi Arabia recently, which accelerated his departure from the Parc des Princes.
The 35-year-old’s contract expires this month and he will be moving on to seek new pastures.
Speaking ahead of Messi’s final game, Galtier said: “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football.
“This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”
The PSG fans turned on Messi, while his trip to Saudi Arabia infuriated Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the rest of the board.
L’Equipe journalist Erik Bielderman told talkSPORT that PSG felt ‘betrayed’ by Messi, so it’s no surprise he is now leaving.
But who could come in for the football icon, and more importantly, who can afford his wages?
How much does Messi earn at PSG?
PSG have one of the highest wage bills in world football, with Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all earning staggering money.
The Argentine took home £32.75million from his first season in Paris.
That works out at an eye-watering £629,807 per week.
Therefore, any club planning to sign the Argentine will likely have to match his old contract.
Where could Messi end up?
Barcelona
A remarkable return to Barcelona is a possibility for Messi.
The Spanish giants are well aware their greatest-ever player wants to return to the Camp Nou and are prepared to pull out all the stops to bring him in.
Reports suggest Messi favours a move back to Spain for at least one more year before moving on and playing somewhere else to end his career.
Barcelona are desperate to recruit Messi and reunite him with Xavi but want the Argentine to take a significant pay cut from his final deal in Spain that would see him earn £22million a year.
However, the club are exploring all possibilities in an attempt to get Messi back, and now his PSG exit is confirmed, that is definitely one to watch.
Saudi Arabia
Given Messi is already an ambassador for Saudi tourism, the forward could move to the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo already plays in Saudi for Al-Nassr, so the chance to have Messi and Ronaldo in the same league again is something that Saudi Arabia wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Despite ageing, Ronaldo and Messi are still the two best footballers around and having both in the same league would draw a lot of attention to Saudi Arabia and help their 2030 World Cup bid.
And from Messi’s point of view, he would earn an enormous amount of money.
Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid player, earning £177million per year, but that would be dwarfed should Messi move to Saudi Arabia.
Reports in France suggest Al-Hilal are prepared to pay Messi £500million a year!
America
Messi has long been linked with a move to the US, especially David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
The Argentine and his father, Jorge, have met with MLS clubs in the past, with those based in the US adamant that Messi could prove to be a transformative signing for the division.
The Independent report that Messi would be offered an enormous salary plus an equity stake in Inter Miami.
This means he would not only play for the club, but he would be co-owner as well, although it’s unclear what he would take.
However, a move to the US isn’t one of Messi’s priority options, with his heart set on Barcelona.
But Beckham will certainly do everything he can to convince Messi to choose the MLS and a new deal has been mooted.
Reports in Spain suggest Inter Miami are ready to sign Messi and then loan him to Barcelona for 18 months.
This would allow the Argentine to complete his Nou Camp return, while Beckham and co would get Messi in the MLS after.
Premier League
Messi has always been touted with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester City having made attempts to sign him in the past.
Given his relationship with Pep Guardiola, it’s no surprise the Citizens have wanted Messi, but it seems incredibly unlikely that he would end up in the top-flight.
Even City would find it hard to afford his wages, while the other super-rich team in the league, Newcastle, don’t plan to break their wage structure.
Messi has most likely missed his chance to play in England, meaning there aren’t that many clubs around that can afford him.
