The 3 clubs that can afford Lionel Messi after leaving Barcelona

The football world has been thrown into a huge frenzy with the announcement that Lionel Messi would not be continuing at Barcelona this season. The La Liga giants made this known in a publication on their official website on Thursday evening, stating 'financial & structural obstacles' as to why the Argentine captain cannot stay on at the Camp Nou.

Thus, for the first time in his senior career, Lionel Messi will be looking to join a new club and other clubs would realistically have a chance of signing arguably the Greatest player of all time.  Any move for the player will be a free transfer, with only wages required, as Messi's contract with Barcelona already expired on June 30. There have been multiple speculations, rumours and near-moves in the past, but now we will look at the top 3 realistic clubs that can sign the Argentine magician.

Manchester City: English Champions, Manchester City are the club with the highest possibility of signing Messi. The presence of Pep Guardiola,  the deep pockets of the oil-rich club, the presence of truly world-class teammates, and an almost certainty of winning trophies all make a compelling case for this move. There has been talk of a reunion between Guardiola and Messi; this is the first time it has looked really possible. 

PSG: Parisian club, PSG has numerous times discussed the possibility of signing the 6-time Ballon d'Or winner. Despite making several high-profile signings this summer already, PSG has the deep pockets to finance the massive wage packet that would be required to have the Argentine play at any club. Also, a reunion with former pal, Neymar, is a huge plus for PSG in convincing Messi to join. This might be the final piece of the UEFA Champions League puzzle for the French club.

Manchester United: Premier League behemoths United are outsiders in the race for the signature of Lionel Messi. Ahead of clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool; Manchester United have the financial and global clout to pull off this deal. A move to United or other clubs, not City or PSG would only make sense on a financial scale but not so much on the sporting front.