Lionel Messi is facing a career crossroads. With the 35-year-old out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2022/23 season, Messi has a number of different options in front of him with Barcelona, Inter Miami and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia all keen to sign the player many see as the greatest of all-time.

Not so long ago, a move to the Premier PINC League appeared to be a credible option for Messi. In the summer of 2022, he attempted to force his way out of Barcelona due to concerns over the direction and leadership of the Camp Nou club. At that point, Manchester City were reportedly leading the pursuit to sign Messi.

For all that Messi has achieved in club and international soccer, he has never played in the Premier League, widely considered the strongest league in the sport. That won’t count against him in terms of his legacy, but many will ponder how Messi would have fared in England’s top flight if he never plays there.

Barcelona have made clear their desire to re-sign Messi this summer two years after he departed the Camp Nou for PSG. Xavi Hernandez’s team are on course to win the Spanish title and the former midfielder has publicly commented Messi would be welcome back at the club where he became a legend.

Messi has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami over a number of seasons with co-owner David Beckham desperate to attract the Argentine to South Florida. There is also strong interest in Saudi Arabia to sign Messi with the 35-year-old already an ambassador for the country’s World Cup bid.

As things stand, there is no suggestion Messi will be a Premier League player next season. City don’t need Messi as they stand on the brink of winning a Treble this season. Pep Guardiola has built a team to measure up against his best sides, including the Barcelona outfit that won it all under his stewardship.

It’s difficult to envisage Messi playing for any other Premier League team as long as Guardiola is Manchester City manager and so the opportunity for the 35-year-old to make a move to England. Instead, the final phase of Messi’s career will either see him retread old ground by returning to Barcelona or forging a new path to Saudi Arabia or the USA.