There is a lot of rumours flying around that now could be the time for Lionel Messi to leave the Nou Camp and test himself elsewhere; it’s currently looking very much like the Premier League could be the place. So is it really likely; could the little man be about to make one big move? Well, unfortunately for fans of the Premier League, I am afraid the answer is no, at least not for another year, if at all.
Whilst it appears Messi maybe ready to browse other options, Barcelona will not want to sell their prize asset when they have another 12 months until they can invest any transfer fee in a replacement. The transfer ban imposed until January 2016 means it is vital for them to keep their squad together for this year, ruling out a move anywhere soon.
That is not to say a move will never happen; Barcelona have a good track record of letting their stars go before they start to decline. Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o all moving on to other clubs before they reached their twilight years.
Luis Enrique also could be a factor; appearing to be under pressure in his reign and talk that some players, including Messi, might be unhappy with his methods. A year is a long time, though, in the career of a Barca manager, and to assume he would still be the man in charge 12 months from now could be a big leap. A new man in charge, players happy once more and Messi may well also be happy to stay in Catalonia – after all, why would he fancy a cold wet night in Burnley or three games in a week over Christmas, when he could be there?
Well, there could be one reason: Cristiano Ronaldo. Winner of the Ballon d’Or again in 2014 with over double the votes Messi received, his second successive year; it also appears Messi may be taking it a little personally. After all, their records are very similar; Messi had a much greater impact at the World Cup when he, at times, single-handedly took Argentina to the final. Yet he cannot seem to gain the recognition of the man from Real Madrid.
A move to another country, another league and similar levels of performance and returns on goals may be the only way Messi could see himself regaining the crown. There would be no shortage of takers; Manchester United and Manchester City, along with Chelsea would all be in the running. Financially, they are the only realistic bidders, but a large sponsor could see the commercial opportunity in funding a move should Arsenal or Liverpool wish to try.
Manchester City are surely the most likely destination with his good friend and international colleague, Sergio Agüero, already there, not to mention the money of Sheikh Mansour and the chance to take them to Champions League glory that the board are demanding. Of course, they won’t get him without a fight; Manchester United are spending heavily and would be keen to land such a big name, and everyone knows how wealthy Roman Abramovich is, using the lights of London and proven recent Champions League record as lures.
It is certainly a transfer rumour that will carry interest far and wide, with every little bit of information and each comment (or avoided comment) carrying potential indicators, but for the time being, a rumour is all it will be.
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