Lionel Messi: Australia's Adelaide United try to woo Barcelona star with 'brilliant schools' and 'clean beaches'

The club wrote an open letter to the wantaway Argentine, telling him they have plenty to offer – except lots of money

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has asked for a transfer from the Spanish giants. AFP

Any club in the world would want Barcelona's Lionel Messi, but in reality there's only a handful who would be the right fit.

The likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been the most heavily linked since Messi was reported to have sent a faxed transfer requested to Barcelona.

However, what if there was a club willing to offer him something other than the greatest stage and a hefty wage packet?

What if Messi fancies a fresh lifestyle instead of another Champions League trophy?

Step forward Australia's Adelaide United.

The A-League club's Director and Chair of the Advisory Board, Ian Smith, has penned an open letter to Messi explaining why he should shun the likes of the Premier League or Serie A, and instead move Down Under.

"There are many reasons why you will love Adelaide, our State and Australia," Smith writes in the letter, which was published on the club's Facebook page.

He goes on to list reasons such as the way the capital of South Australia has handled the coronavirus pandemic, the Mediterranean-style climate, the vast number of Spanish speakers and "good Argentine restaurants".

"Our schools are brilliant and our universities among the world's best. Our beaches are clean and the neighbouring hills are delightful," he adds.

Even the stumbling block of potential interest from PSG and Manchester United is mentioned.

"You've been to those cities so many times, so why not choose somewhere new?" Smith writes.

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Messi: 10 potential destinations

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He's honest enough to address the financial situation.

"We cannot offer you much in the form of financial compensation .... But hey, let's not let that get in the way of something that promises to be very special: once you are here, you will be so happy and money will seem merely incidental."

Adelaide United finished seventh in the 11-team A-League last season, so Messi would be moving from one underperforming team to another after Barcelona's disappointing campaign which saw them finish second in La Liga behind Real Madrid, and embarrassingly lose 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

Barcelona have yet to respond publicly but are understood to believe Messi's release clause expired in June, and that he remains under contract until the end of the 2021 season.