Former Barcelona central defender, Eric Abidal, who played alongside Messi during a six-year spell at Barca, winning four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, has suggested that having already achieved everything with Barcelona, Messi might be ready to consider a fresh challenge in his career.
The 35-year old defender (now retired) suggested that Messi, who has been ferociously linked with a move away from Barcelona, could be tempted by a move to Paris-Saint Germain, if he should consider leaving the Spanish giants to in search of new challenges.
“Having won everything with Barcelona, perhaps he would like a different challenge, being able to win trophies with another club, that remains a possibility,” Abidal said.
“It’s true that PSG have, for a while now, been able to put a good squad together, a good team with an attitude, a desire, a determination and objectives to be achieved. It’s perhaps a club that he would like.”
Lionel Messia s recently reported fallout with manager Luis Enrique led to numerous rumours being circulated about the Argentinea s departure. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are some of the top clubs the forward has been linked with. And since then there is persistent speculation about Messia s future with the Blaugrana.
However, Abidal says that Messi has a great influence in the dressing room but has never interfered in the cluba s decisions.
a His influence on Barca is total. With his goals, he masks tensions, administrative or legal problems,” added Abidal.
“He carries the team on his shoulders and allows it to live peacefully. Hea s part of a group of deciders.
a Ia ve never seen Leo ask for anything. Even regarding the team selection.a
However, speaking to Sport last week, PSG president, Al Khelaifi, suggested that he was not thinking about signing either Messi or Ronaldo in the immediate future.
He said: “The media speak about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s fine for them, but it’s not good for Barcelona or Real Madrid or us. Messi and Ronaldo are at home in Barcelona and Madrid.
“I respect these two clubs and I have good relations with their presidents. I respect them a lot. If we were interested in a player of one of these two clubs, I would speak about it to their president. Messi and Ronaldo are happy in their clubs. I respect that.”
Leo Messi has been a great part of Barcelonaa s success for a little less than a decade now. The Argentine is considered by some as the worlda s greatest footballer and is a great asset for the Catalans. It will be hard for Messi to let go off Barcelona any time soon and similarly it will be tremendously painful for Barcelona to fill the void should Messi leave the club.