Lionel Messi stunned the world when he left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 with his addition making PSG a force in the Champions League 2021-22
Nobody had seen the move coming, with the man himself admitting during a tearful farewell at Camp Nou that he had expected a new contract to be thrashed out.
Ultimately, financial struggles for La Liga giants led to a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner slipping through their grasp and into the hands of European rivals that already boasted the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe within the ranks.
Can Lionel Messi Help PSG Win Their First Ever Champions League 2021-22
A dream team had been assembled in the French capital – a footballing equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters – with it expected that PSG would sweep aside all before them on a domestic stage while also chasing down an elusive continental crown in 2021-22.
However, in the UEFA Champions League odds the Ligue 1 heavyweights are at 10.0 to land a much sought-after European trophy this season as Mauricio Pochettino’s side is capable of beating anybody on their day, but they aren’t expected to have the required consistency through the knockout stages.
Messi will be expected to figure prominently in that quest, with the man that has claimed that particular prize on four previous occasions having been acquired to help the most ambitious of sporting institutions to land the silverware they covet most.
Messi in this competition = 🔥🔥🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/VojXuHpF5X
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 7, 2021
The mercurial Argentine has, however, found the going tougher than anybody expected during his debut season in France, with niggling injuries stunting his progress and forcing regular spells on the sidelines to be taken in.
Questions have been asked of how well he has adjusted to life outside of a Catalan comfort zone and whether a retracing of steps could be made as those at the center of a remarkable transfer saga admit that wrong decisions were made.
What next for Messi?
Messi has announced that he intends to head back to Barcelona at some stage, with the club that made him what he is today making it clear that there will always be a role for him in their plans – on or off the field.
That day appeared a long way off when bags were packed for Paris, with an initial two-year contract signed at Parc des Princes. There has, however, been talk of said agreement being cut short after just 12 months.
If another change of scenery really is being considered, then surely there is only one direction in which Messi will head.
Simply put:
Leo #Messi beat the game. pic.twitter.com/4FXVT8gdo2— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 7, 2021
Former team-mate Dani Alves, who has made his own return to Barca this season, has said of the all-time great following his lead: “I already told him that he is not going to be anywhere better here. The same thing he told me when I left. It would be great if Messi finished his career here.”
A door is being left open for a prodigal son to wander back through in Spain, with nothing being ruled out at this stage. PSG will, of course, have plenty to say on the matter after investing so heavily in another superstar for their squad.
Messi can expect to add to his enviable medal collection in the current campaign, at home and possibly abroad, but it may then be a case of one and out for him as attention turns towards an emotional homecoming in Barcelona.
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