5 former rivals who could become teammates with Lionel Messi after Barcelona exit

#3 Ederson (Manchester City, Brazil)

Messi and Ederson during the 2021 Copa America final

Former Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi came up against Ederson as recently as last month, when Argentina and Brazil locked horns in the final of the Copa America. It was Messi who enjoyed the glory then, as Argentina went on to lift the continental trophy at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The disappointment will still be fresh in Ederson's mind, especially after he denied Messi an opportunity to find the back of the net late in the game but still ended up losing. Add that to the fact that it would've been his first ever major trophy as first-choice custodian for his country and it is self-explanatory as to why the result may have left a bad aftertaste.

But then the events from Thursday night surely have the potential to tide over that loss, especially if Messi decides to link up with Ederson and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Premier League champions have already broken the bank for Jack Grealish and have been linked with wanting to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.

It remains to be seen whether Messi's situation at Barcelona will force City to realign their priorities in the transfer window. If they do, Ederson could celebrate many victories together with Messi in the near future.

---

#2 Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain)

Messi up against then Real Madrid custodian Navas

Lionel Messi has relished his battles with Keylor Navas over the years. During Navas' time in Spain with Levante and Real Madrid, the Costa Rican endured a torrid time whenever he came up against the genius of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

As many as 23 goals were scored by Lionel Messi in 13 appearances for Barcelona against Navas. But then it was the former Real Madrid shot-stopper who had the last laugh more recently. Now on the books at Paris Saint-Germain, Navas came up against the threat of Lionel Messi in the Champions League last season.

The Ligue 1 giants romped to a 4-1 win in the first leg after Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick at the Camp Nou. However, Barcelona were determined to force a way back in the second leg and have history over PSG in believing they could do the same.

But it was not meant to be for Lionel Messi and company, thanks to the heroics of Navas. The shot-stopper thwarted 11 attempts from Barcelona and saved a penalty from his long-time nemesis Lionel Messi to help PSG sneak a draw and progress to the quarter-finals.

Navas may fall below new-recruit Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at PSG next season, but a reunion with Lionel Messi will be something special. Especially since they will not be out to deny each other this time around.

---

#1 Sergio Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)

Messi and Ramos has had several tussles on the pitch

What a reunion this would be. For the majority of their careers, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos have been at loggerheads on the pitch. That's what you would expect from captains at Barcelona and Real Madrid. But both of these influential figures, leaving on free transfers to the same club, would just have never been imagined before.

As it stands, Paris Saint-Germain are the hot favorites to land Lionel Messi following his exit from Barcelona. It makes sense for the Ligue 1 giants too, considering their persistent efforts in the transfer market to win the elusive Champions League crown. If Messi does put pen-to-paper on a new deal with PSG, the former Barcelona captain will have to get used to having Ramos in the same side.

For all the times they battled it out and toiled hard in Spain for supremacy, it could be poetic if Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos end up lifting the Champions League together. A gentle reminder that being open to change is the best way forward.