The future of Lionel Messi remains uncertain, with the 35-year-old’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expiring in June. Messi is reportedly in talks with the capital club, but no deal has yet to be reached.
Nonetheless, Messi appears to want to play in the UEFA Champions League next season. As a result, if a PSG extension fails, then any team in Europe can sign him, which is why former Italian soccer player and coach Roberto Donadoni revealed two teams Messi should join.
Donadoni first explained that Napoli is the first choice that wants to see the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner join this summer due to the club’s connection with Diego Armando Maradona.
“I think that at this moment, in the same team where the one that Maradona played, in Napoli,” Donadoni said Tuesday on Super Deportivo Radio (h/t La Nacion). “[Napoli] is playing perfect football for Messi, playing with the ball, without too much speed but with a lot of technique.”
The second choice for Donadoni is seeing Messi return to La Liga and join his Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul at Atlético de Madrid, which would allow him to return to a league and country he’s familiar with.
“If Leo has doubts about renewing with PSG, let him come to Atlético de Madrid,” De Paul recently said. “We tell Angelito [Correa] to give him 10; we’ll find him a little apartment in the center of Madrid.”
While it’s easy to say what teams Messi should head to if he leaves PSG, the finances will be a significant hurdle since it’s being reported that the veteran wants a salary near what Kylian Mbappé earns, which would turn off many European clubs.