It's the question on the entire soccer world's mind: Where to next for Lionel Messi?
After Messi formally requested an exit out of Barcelona earlier this week, clubs around the world jokingly threw their hats into the social media ring in order to entice one of the all-time great talents of the sport. From the Vancouver Whitecaps sliding into Messi's Instagram DMs to English League Two side Port Vale photoshopping the Argentine into its uniform, teams had a bit of fun jumping in on the speculation as to where the career leader in La Liga goals would end up.
Even non-soccer teams got in on the fray, with Formula One team Mercedes-AMG wondering aloud if Messi would consider a career change.
While most clubs know they aren't realistically part of the Messi sweepstakes, there are a handful that could truly tempt the 33-year-old to don their colours this season.
In DAZN's "Shoot-Out," Greg Brady and Steve Bower discuss the options available to the superstar as he ponders the next step in his historic career.
Brady thinks the bright lights of Paris beckon for Messi.
"I don't want PSG just winning [Ligue 1], Steve, by 20 points; I want them winning by 40 points, apparently," Brady said. "But I think it's a great fit. I think there's a lot there in terms of infrastructure. If he's got Champions League ambitions, if his teammates have Champions League ambitions, then it's a perfect fit."
To Brady's point, PSG came one step within winning the Champions League this year, and a team that spends as much as it does isn't simply satisfied with dominating its domestic circuit.
For Bower, the choice is obvious, and it's not PSG. A man like Messi needs to be challenged both domestically and in Europe, and Bower says Manchester City is the only team that will provide both while still surrounding him with the type of talent that he needs to remain at the top of the sport.
"He needs to have that actual, real demand on his influence in a team, and let's be honest, there isn't that in France," Bower said. "And I think because of that, the Premier League is where he should go."
With Messi's former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola in charge at City, Bower feels that everything is already in place for Messi to succeed at the Etihad Stadium.
"He has a club in Manchester City that can afford both the price tag and, more importantly, his wages. Manchester City could get that back in revenue, anyway," Bower noted. "And the big, burning question among soccer fans: 'Could Lionel Messi, do it in England? Could he do it on a rainy Wednesday night at the Etihad in Manchester?' would be answered."
Watch Brady and Bower in full "Shoot-Out" episodes on DAZN (you can sign up for a free trial here).