Just how will the Manchester City, Manchester United , Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain fit the GOAT into their teams.
MANCHESTER CITY
City’s use of twin play makers in a 4-3-3 formation helped revolutionize attacking play in the Premier League, plus expand horizons of what is offensively achievable. David Silva’s summer exit after a decade of exemplary service has opened up an attacking-midfield slot in tandem with Kevin De Bruyne, and who better to fill it than Messi?
Chemistry is another crucial element. A long-term friendship with striker Sergio Aguero will make adaption off the pitch easier, while they’ve accrued dozens of international caps alongside each other for Argentina.
MANCHESTER UNITED
United have spent all summer chasing Borussia Dortmund and England flyer Jadon Sancho to fill their right-wing spot.
Would a 33-year-old Messi be willing to perform such a job in manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation? The answer is ‘no’.
Messi boasts God-level quality, but his arrival clogs up the middle of the park as he has never been one to hog the touchline.
Their youthful front three, rich in promise, has also cried out for a natural wide man to add another element. Messi would represent a problem – but, a welcome one to solve.
INTER MILAN
A deal that suits all parties appears ready to be made.
Inter forward Lautaro Martinez emerged as an object of desire for Barcelona throughout 2019/20. The effervescent Argentina international would provide the legs, up top, that Uruguay icon – and Messi acolyte – Luis Suarez could no longer provide.
Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 shape, however, has been honed throughout years of success. Belgium No9 Romelu Lukaku would represent a willing foil, while wing-backs Achraf Hakimi and Ashley Young would allow Messi to concentrate on creating destruction.
Similar to City, this link makes sense on all levels.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
A reunion with Neymar harks back to Barca’s last glorious period when the 2014/15 Champions League was earned, while Kylian Mbappe can only continue to grow at rapid pace with such a role model in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. The link-up with compatriot Angel Di Maria, also, would allow for a glorious exhibition in the art of making through balls.
But Messi’s procurement would threaten to blow apart this year’s abiding message for PSG. Their run to narrow defeat in the Champions League was built upon the collective, rather than a glittering array of the grandest talents.
Messi would, potentially, shatter this tranquility. There is also a report from L’Equipe that to afford Messi, one of Mbappe or Neymar would need to be sacrificed – a giant step the Parisians do not want to make.
