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For ten long years Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been dominating the Ballon d'Or, with both of them winning five apiece. Throughout all those years we debated on who is better of them and haven't come to a conclusion yet, and it doesn't look like we will ever be able to do so. When we think one of them is better, the other will come up with something that is out of this world. You know the routine. After all we have been seeing this battle for more than long enough.
Unfortunately, two of the best players in the history of football is on the wrong side of their 30s. We didn't realise time fly away while we were busy trying to figure out who is the real GOAT. The two players who have magic in their feet are getting older and it is not long before they have to do the inevitable...hand their boots.
Ronaldo, 33, is older of the both and just like his counterpart has won all that is possible at Real Madrid. With rumours of a move to Juventus doing the rounds, it looks like the Portuguese star's nine-year stay in Spain is coming to an end. And it is hard to accept that Messi and Ronaldo might not be playing in the same league anymore.
The competition between the two is like Tom and Jerry for many of us, and it won't be fun if they aren't playing in the same league. Although it is highly unlikely that Messi will make a move to Serie A even if his rival does so, we all can dream, right? And for the same reason, here are three Italian clubs the Argentine will be perfect for:
P.S: None of these teams currently have the financial ability to sign Messi, but it's always fun to assume 'what if', neh?
#3 Inter Milan
Managed by Luciano Spalletti, Inter Milan is the first team on the list that would be suitable for Messi in case he decides to move to Italy.
The 18-time Italian champions usually play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the Barcelona player's fellow countryman Mauro Icardi leading the line. Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva regularly occupy the wings, while Rafinha or Marcelo Brozovic plays the number 10.
The Nerazzurri has also lined up in an offensive 4-3-3 formation, which was used by Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona last season. This gives Spalletti two options on how to use Messi.
The first one is to continue using his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and make the five-time Ballon d'Or winner the number 10, creating chances for Icardi. Even though there have been reports of an issue between the two countrymen, they can form a duo that most defences will be scared of. Add to that the runs from Perisic and some extra passes from Candreva, Inter's attack could be deadly.
#2 Napoli
Juventus have won the Serie A title for seven consecutive seasons and in their most recent league triumph, it was Napoli who gave the Bianconeri a run for their money. At one point in time, it even looked like the Blues could end Juventus's hegemony in Italy, but fell short in the end.
Despite competing with the champions for the title, the club has replaced Maurizio Sarri with former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Sarri preferred the offensive 4-3-3 formation, which Messi is very familiar with at Barcelona. It was Dries Mertens who played upfront, with Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon occupying the flanks. This trio was a hit in the league and racked up 36 goals between them.
With the change in manager, a few changes can be expected at the club and one of them could be Ancelotti bringing in his preferred formation 4-2-3-1. If that is the case, Messi could play behind Mertens, while Insigne and Callejon continue to operate in the wings.
If Napoli's new gaffer decides to stick with his predecessor's style, the Barcelona player could take Callejon's position on the right.
#1 AS Roma
AS Roma had a great season under Eusebio Di Francesco, finishing third in the Serie A and making an incredible run in the UEFA Champions League that saw the team reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
One of their highlights of the last season was making an amazing comeback to defeat Messi's Blaugrana to advance to the last four of the Champions League. That tie showed a lot about the character of the Roma team and that's exactly why the 31-year-old is a perfect fit for them.
Francesco's Giallorossi team lines up in the offensive 4-3-3 formation. Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko leads the attack with the likes of Stephan El Shaarawy, Diego Perotti, Patrick Schick and Cengiz Under playing as wingers. It is the latter two who plays on the right flank, which could be taken over by Messi.
The player from Rosario operating on the right wing with a target man like Dzeko waiting to convert all the chances coming in his way is a great prospect and could form a deadly duo if it does happen.
