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LIONEL MESSI has boarded her £ 12 million private jet to fly home to Barcelona ahead of what could be the most important week of her career.
The 33-year-old Camp Nou legend received a prolonged break in Argentina over the Christmas period from Barça bosses.
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On Tuesday, Messi was seen boarding his private plane ready to fly back to Spain.
The Argentine recently promised Barcelona fans that he was committed to the club, despite transfer speculation swirling since the summer.
Able to walk away with a free transfer in the summer of 2020, Messi was expected to rekindle his relationship with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after falling out with Barca bosses.
Eventually, Messi stayed at the club he joined at just 13 years old.
But now, the superstar forward could do the unthinkable and accept LEAVE Barcelona now THIS Friday.
So what does 2021 hold for Messi with his future up in the air? Let’s start from the beginning …
In August 2020, Barcelona imploded.
He was beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after having already collapsed in the League, handing Real Madrid the LaLiga crown.
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Quique Setien was fired, Messi submitted a transfer request and president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned amid heavy pressure from fans.
Somehow, Barcelona managed to convince Messi to stay with the Argentine on the brink of a free transfer to Man City.
Although the 10 of Barça agreed to stay, it seemed to suggest that it would be for a season at most.
Messi has fought to his phenomenally high standards ever since, and Barcelona haven’t fired at full steam either.
Throughout the season, Messi has been linked with a free move to Manchester City at the end of the season.
More recently, Neymar has revealed his desire to return to the same team as his South American compatriot, with a move to PSG now on the cards.
During Christmas, Spanish media La Sexta shared an interview with Messi in which the star winger pledged his loyalty to Barcelona … at least for 2020-21.
Messi said: “Nothing will be clear before the end of the year. I will wait until the season is over.
“What matters now is thinking about the team, finishing the year well and not getting distracted by other things.
“I don’t know what will happen. I am focused on what we have here and fighting for what we can.
“I’m not thinking about how the year will end.
“Starting today, it wouldn’t be wise for me to say what I’m going to do because I don’t know.”
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However, Messi threw a curve ball there, suggesting that MIGHT move to MLS.
Messi continued: “I have always dreamed of playing in another league, in the United States.
“Maybe it will happen, it doesn’t have to be right away.
“Today I’m just focused on these next six months.”
And Messi even suggested that Neymar head ‘home’ to Barcelona, as the Brazilian said in 2019, it would be impossible due to the finances of the deal.
The Argentine added: “It will be difficult to bring players because there are no funds.
“We will have to bring in a lot of top-tier players so that we can compete on all fronts again and that comes at a price.
“Neymar would be very expensive. How would the club pay PSG for the transfer (of Neymar)?
“The situation will be tough for the new president, who will have to be smart and put everything in order.
“Changes will be needed to do well.
“I don’t know if Neymar said (that the two would play together next year).
“I would have to ask him about what he said. Sometimes we chat and get in touch.”
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Although Messi poured cold water at the suggestion that Neymar go to Barcelona, he did not rule out that he would move to PSG.
… And he didn’t even mention Man City.
At the Etihad, Messi would have a chance to compete for the Premier League title.
On top of that, he could be credited as the man who helped lead City to their first Champions League crown, in case he helps with that too.
And then there is the Guardiola effect.
Pep and Messi enjoyed four trophy-laden years together at the Camp Nou and the opportunity to work once again with their former boss instead of the coaches’ revolving door in Barcelona could be very enticing.
Cristiano Ronaldo has recently suggested that he could return to Manchester United.
So the prospect of going head-to-head with his former rival not just in the same league but in the same city could tempt Messi even more.
Then there is PSG, who have similar ambitions.
Once again, the French club will always challenge the honors of the league.
PSG are also pouring money into the club in an attempt to break their Champions League duck.
Thomas Tuchel was fired shortly before Christmas after a 4-0 win over Strasbourg.
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Mauricio Pochettino is the man most likely to step in to fill the void.
The opportunity to work with his Argentine compatriot could tempt Messi to move to the French capital, another team from the ‘big market’.
However, the only country Messi specifically mentioned by name was the United States, suggesting that a move to MLS might be on his mind.
Superstars like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney before him have tried to conquer America.
Messi would be, without a doubt, the biggest name of all MLS graces.
The added advantage for Messi here would be to move much, much closer to home.
A flight from Barcelona to Buenos Aires takes around 13 hours, making for a 26-hour round trip whenever you feel homesick.
Even on a luxury private jet, that’s a long, old job.
A flight from Miami, New York, or Los Angeles would be a bit more finished MEANS, MEDIUM that moment.
At 33, Messi doesn’t have too many years left in his career, at least in his prime.
You will have to consider your next step wisely.
But with Messi able to negotiate the terms of the pre-contract starting Friday, January 1, he will undoubtedly have suitors knocking on the door before he knows it.
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