Lionel Messi Barcelona Exit Rumors: 3 Clubs Emerge As Possible Destinations

Amid growing talks of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona exit, three clubs have emerged as possible destinations.

As Barcelona continues to battle it out with ultimate rival Real Madrid for this year’s La Liga title, Messi is once again being linked to a Camp Nou departure. Spanish radio outlet Cadena SER reported on Thursday (July 2) that the 33-year-old is considering opting out of his current contract with Barcelona and leaving in 2021.

At this point, nothing has been confirmed yet except for the fact that multiple clubs would make a move on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner should he decide to leave Barca. One of Messi’s early possible suitors is his former club, Newell’s Old Boys.

Newell’s Old Boys vice-president Cristian D'Amico has spoken candidly about Messi's future with the club, making it clear that they would welcome him with open arms. In an interview with TNT Sports, D’Amico officially opened the club’s doors to Messi for a possible return and urged Messi to emulate his compatriot, Diego Maradona, who joined Old Boys as he approached the latter stages of his career back in 1993.

"I don't know if it is impossible. It is all up to him and his family. As directors, we have to provide the best context possible to help him make a decision. When Maradona came to Newell's, nobody thought he could come. I hope that something similar can happen with Leo [Messi],” D’Amico said.

"Obviously we shouldn't be making things up, this is a delicate subject. Who doesn't dream of seeing the world's best player in their team's colours? Time will tell maybe, we have to stay calm,” he added.

This wasn’t the first time D’Amico had extended an invitation to Messi to return to Newell’s. When the “special exit clause” in the Barcelona captain's contract that would allow him to leave Camp Nou for free this May neared its expiration date, D’Amico teased, "Messi will come to Newell's if he decides to leave Barcelona.”

Two other destinations and possibilities were recently brought up by Barcelona legend Rivaldo. In an interview with Betfair, Rivaldo pointed out the reasons why Messi could end up playing in the Premier League.

According to the all-time great, Messi might consider a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Rivaldo also said he believes that agents in Italy are already thinking about a Cristiano Ronaldo-Messi team-up in Juventus.

“Reuniting with Pep Guardiola at City will be tempting for him, as the two of them formed a great coach and player partnership at Barca,” Rivaldo pointed out.

“With all this speculation, I believe that some agents are already dreaming about a Messi-Ronaldo double at Juventus and how big it will be around the globe,” he added.