Liverpool or Real Madrid? Potential destinations for Lionel Messi if he really wants to leave Barcelona

We take a look at the clubs that could attract the Argentine star in 2021

LIONEL MESSI TO MANCHESTER UNITED: This could be sensational. United are not the force they once were under Alex Ferguson but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is forming a core bunch of young players who are set to serve United for the next decade. The presence of a legend like Messi could take the team to the stratosphere. Getty

JUVENTUS: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate about who the best player on the planet is rages on. Imagine Messi saying yes to a move to the Serie A, lining up alongside his great rival at The Old Lady. The chances of this happening are slim to none, but there is no harm in imagining. AFP

REAL MADRID: This would be the ultimate betrayal. Barcelona have handed the advantage in the La Liga race this season to Real Madrid, who are moving ahead in the points table with purpose. Zinedine Zidane enjoys immense respect as a player and manager par excellence. However, the very mention of such a move could lead to unrest on the streets, and we are not joking. Getty

LIVERPOOL: They are the best team in the world and the best player, arguably, should like the challenge. Messi has had a difficult relation with successive Barca managers, which should make the welcoming embrace of a proven boss like Jurgen Klopp enticing. And who wouldn’t want to see Mohamed Salah and Messi together? AP

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: No transfer fee seems to be beyond them. Messi and Barca tried in vain to get Neymar back to Camp Nou. But it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see Messi move to Paris. Neymar recently compared his relationship with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe to the one he enjoyed with Messi. Why not have it all? Plus, Messi will be with a team that is the undisputed king of its league. Getty

MANCHESTER CITY: Lionel Messi had complained about the direction that Barcelona were taking. There will be no lack of clarity or quality at City, especially since it will mean reuniting with Pep Guardiola. However, uncertainty over City’s future in European football over the next two seasons could be a dampener. Reuters

NEWELL'S OLD BOYS: Messi left the Argentine club for Barcelona in 2001 as a kid and the rest is history. The club hopes to see Messi get back to where it all started, especially since Diego Maradona had done the same in 1993 after shining in Europe. There is no place like home after all. EPA

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has reportedly called off his contract negotiations and is ready to leave the club in 2021.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser stated that Messi and his father Jorge had started discussing the renewal of his deal with the club but that he no longer wishes to stay at Camp Nou.

According to the report, Messi is unhappy about media reports that seem to blame him for unrest at the club.

But could Messi really be leaving Barcelona? The player and club define each other, which makes it difficult to contemplate such a move.

However, nothing is impossible and if Messi, 33, is indeed serious about moving out of Camp Nou, we have put together a list of potential destinations in the picture gallery above.

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