Where Will Messi Play Next Season?

After Barcelona announced that the Argentina star would be leaving, his future is uncertain. So where will he go?

After a combination of financial difficulties at the club and La Liga's financial fair-play rules, Lionel Messi has decided to leave Barcelona.

It was confirmed that Messi would be renewing Camp Nou's contract despite having revealed in an interview with Goal last January his plans to leave.

Messi and Barcelona had hoped to reach an agreement. However, it seems that the deal is no longer on the table. Messi will now be leaving. Which club could he possibly play for? Goal takes a look.

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Paris-Saint Germain

Messi, in a tearful farewell press conference admitted that he could sign on behalf of Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentina star said that Paris Saint-Germain was a possibility. "At this moment, nothing is confirmed," said the Argentina star. It's something we are discussing."

Marca reports that PSG is confident they can sign Messi while keeping Kylian Mbappe.

Mauricio Pochettino, the coach of PSG, spoke out about the situation at a press conference prior to his side's Ligue 1 opener against Troyes. He said: "I haven't spoken with [Messi]. But [any move] wouldn't mean that Kylian would quit.

"A player of Messi’s calibre, that's what interests me. We must keep our eyes on Troyes, even though the club is working on many options.

"We are aware of what happened yesterday. The club is currently working on the transfer window as well as the elements that could be brought in to help the team achieve its goals.

Manchester City

The Premier League club was a frontrunner in the transfer saga last year and is now another option for Messi.

Both clubs have the financial resources to afford Messi. Manchester City however, has the attraction of Pep Guardiola who Messi played for in his golden years at Barcelona.

Lionel Messi Pep Guardiola Barcelona 2010-11

Guardiola denied any talk of Messi being signed on a free transfer, after breaking the British record for the transfer fee of PS100 million to Jack Grealish. He told reporters at a press conference that "We spent PS40million on Jack Grealish. We spent PS100m on Jack Grealish and received PS60m.

"He will wear No.10 because Grealish convinced him and we were certain Leo would continue at Barcelona so right now, he is not in my thoughts."

Guardiola admitted that Messi's departure from Camp Nou was a surprise, but he said: "It seemed like it ended well in terms of him continuing to Barcelona. It was shocking for all, including me.

"The president was very clear today. "I didn't speak to the president or the player so I don't know the details. However, as a fan of the club, I would have loved for him to leave there. Today the club must be sustainable.

"As a fan, my greatest gratitude is for the most exceptional player I have ever seen, for the titles he [won for] Barcelona, and for helping me to go to Munich, then to England."

New York City FC

Messi previously stated that he wanted to play in MLS and told La Sexta that he would love to play in the United States.

He said, "I have always stated that I get the impression that I would love to live in the United States, of living there in that league and that lifestyle, but I don't know if it will happen or not."

If Messi does decide to move Stateside, he will follow the European legends David Beckham and Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, all of whom had stints in North America.

The City Football Group is unique in that it owns both Manchester City FC and New York City FC. This could make the Big Apple a feasible destination for the striker.

ESPN reports that Messi could reunite with Guardiola in Manchester City, before retiring at NYCFC (a sister club to Eithad) to mark the end his playing career.

Although LA Galaxy and LAFC are not to be discounted, it is possible that NYCFC and Man City will link up, making it more likely. David Beckham's Inter Miami however, could also be an option.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid

Surprised no one, Messi denied any possibility of joining another La Liga club. He said when asked if he could join Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, "No, impossible."