After confirming that signing with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) remains a possibility, Argentina striker Lionel Messi is set to undergo medical at the Ligue 1 club. The former Barcelona legend on Sunday (August 8) confirmed the end of his 21-year stint with Spanish club Barcelona and he was left in tears while bidding adieu to the club. Messi in a press conference had admitted that his signing with PSG remains a possibility, but nothing is certain at the moment.
“Lionel Messi is set to undergo a medical at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona,” Goal.com said in its Transfer news section citing a report from L’Equipe. “Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes. At the moment nothing is confirmed, I received a lot of calls after the Barcelona statement. We`re talking about it,” Goal.com had quoted Messi as saying.
According to the report, PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino spoke directly to Argentina striker in order to convince him to join the club after exit from Barcelona. In what came as one of the biggest news in the football world, Messi left FC Barcelona, earlier this week.
As per the club, the reason behind the exit is the financial and structural obstacles. “Today I have to say goodbye, I arrived very young at 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three children,” said Messi on Sunday in the press conference.
Where would Messi fit at PSG?
Can he still play with Neymar? Are Paris St Germain too attack-minded to win big trophies? And could he really end up sharing a flat with Sergio Ramos? Here are some of the talking points after Lionel Messi announced he was leaving Barcelona, with Paris St Germain reportedly his destination of choice.
Attack, Attack, Attack
The PSG frontline is already formidable, with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar seen as two of the best players on the planet. Both harbour ambitions to win the Ballon d’Or, however if Messi joins, will there be room for all three?
The Argentinean played alongside Neymar at Barcelona for four years, winning the 2015 Champions League – however, the Brazilian left Catalonia in a bid to step out of his team mate’s shadow.
Neymar has never shied away from talking up a reunion with Messi and local reports even suggest he is willing to give up the No. 10 shirt should he sign with PSG. But would his arrival push Mbappe, who has just one year left on his deal, closer to the exit door? Can they function as a three?
Coach Mauricio Pochettino famously likes a high-pressing style of football, however, that is not in any of the potential front three’s makeup. Just how he would get them to buy into his style remains to be seen.
Are Paris top heavy?
PSG have made no secret of their ambitions to win the Champions League, coming agonisingly close in 2020. With the addition of Messi, they maybe too top heavy to take the final step. Scoring goals has never been their problem, however, they have often looked suspect at the back in the biggest games, with Manchester City ruthlessly exploiting them in last season’s semi-final.
While they have added goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and full back Achraf Hakimi, the midfield and central defensive areas still look fragile. Sergio Ramos has arrived to bring leadership, but his age and injury record are less than favourable.
Reunited with Ramos
Messi faced off against Ramos in many a Clasico fixture while both plied their trade for Barca and Real Madrid. In Paris they would go from the best of enemies to team mates.
In March, Ramos joked that if Messi wanted to join him at Real Madrid then he’d be open to letting him bunk in his spare room. With the Spaniard having made the move to Paris already, perhaps Messi will take him up on the offer as he looks to settle in the French capital.
(with agency inputs)
