Where might Lionel Messi go next after Paris St Germain spell ends?

Lionel Messi’s two-year spell at Paris St Germain ended in a 3-2 home defeat to Clermont Foot at the weekend.

An option to extend his stay with the Ligue 1 champions has not been activated with the Argentina World Cup winner heavily linked with a return to Barcelona, although he does have other alternatives.

Here, the PA news agency looks at where the 35-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might go next.

Considering Messi never really wanted to leave and was effectively forced out as the club’s financial problems meant they could not afford to renew his contract, due to wage cap issues, a return to his spiritual home in Catalonia, the Nou Camp seems the obvious choice. Even last summer, club president Joan Laporta said it was the club’s responsibility to “find a moment to fix that chapter” so it has “a more beautiful ending”. However, despite losing the long-serving Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba off the wage bill for next season, the club still have to cut costs to satisfy LaLiga and that remains a huge stumbling block.

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