Top 5 realistic options for Lionel Messi this summer

#2 Manchester City

Despite his success, Pep Guardiola has never lifted the UEFA Champions League without Messi

There is a mutual respect and bond between Messi and Pep Guardiola that was built during their years of domestic and European domination at Barcelona. While the influence of Iniesta and Xavi in the ‘tiki-taka’ glory years cannot be underestimated, it was the unquantifiable moments of individual magic from Messi that brought their high-pressing, possession-based attacking play together.

Guardiola became accustomed to lifting the UEFA Champions League during his tenure at the club, but failed to repeat his achievements at Bayern Munich without his talisman, and the trophy continues to elude him at Manchester City.

Guardiola has made no secret of his desire to again claim Europe’s premier prize, and has confessed that his time at the Etihad Stadium will be considered a failure without it. With Liverpool currently holding the European crown and dominating matters in the Premier League, it will take something exceptional for Manchester City to put themselves back to the top of the domestic tree, let alone in Europe.

While the talk surrounds their defensive frailties following the departure of Vincent Kompany and the injury problems suffered by Aymeric Laporte, no other addition to the squad would have the same influence as Messi. The financial technicalities would not be an issue, while the hierarchy of CEO Ferran Soriano and Director of Football Txiki Bergiristain continue to believe in Guardiola enough to support such an ambitious move, especially with their own Barcelona connections. There is also no doubt than Messi would embrace a reunion with his former manager in the Premier League.