We never thought we'd see the day when odds on Messi's next club would be a legitimate discussion. But that day has finally come after news broke that superstar Lionel Messi wants to leave FC Barcelona, an organization with which he has spent the past 19 years.
The request came following Barca's exit from the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, when they were embarrassed by eventual champion Bayern Munich by a score of 8-2. Odds on Messi's next club were quick to be posted by sportsbooks, with a couple of high-profile clubs jumping to the forefront.
Complicating the issue is that Messi missed a deadline to opt-out of his contract, which means he's tied to the club until 2021. Barcelona has said they aren't interested in selling the Argentian megastar, and that a team would have to pay his full $828M release clause.
While it's still pure speculation, let's looks as Messi odds for this messy situation, as Barcelona explores a transfer of arguably one of the greatest players of all time.
Who is the favorite to be Lionel Messi's next club?
English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City has been the clear frontrunner to land Messi at +110, creating a reunion with former Barca manager Pep Guardiola. Sources told ESPN on August 26 that Man City, which finished second in the EPL table this season and lost in the Champions League quarterfinals 3-1 to Lyon, would pay up to $177M for Messi and could offer high-profile striker Gabriel Jesus and additional players in a possible trade.
Also intriguing to the Messi-to-Manchester City scenario is a rumor that a possible contract would see Messi spend three years in the EPL, then transfer to NYCFC, which is Man City's partner club in the MLS.
Next on the odds board is Italian club Inter Milan at +600, which could renew the rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two spent many years in the Spanish La Liga, when Ronaldo played for Real Madrid, before Cristiano transferred to Juventus in 2018. Even if Messi landed in the Italian Serie A, he may not have to face Ronaldo as there are rumors the Portuguese superstar could be on the move himself as well.
Another EPL club, Manchester United, is also linked to having serious interest in Messi. The Red Devils finished third in the EPL standings this season and have a long history of signing some of the world's greatest players, putting them tied for third on the odds board with French club Paris Saint-Germain (+1,400).
PSG is another interesting option, because Messi is very good friends with Brazilian superstar Neymar (currently on PSG), while the Ligue 1 championships also have 21-year-old French star Kylian Mbappe.
Odds on Messi's Next Club
| Club | League | Odds to land Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | English Premier League | +110 |
| Intern Milan | Serie A | +600 |
| Manchester United | English Premier League | +1,400 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | +1,400 |
| Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | +2,000 |
| Chelsea | English Premier League | +3,000 |
Where can I bet on Lionel Messi transfer odds?
Not all sportsbooks carry European soccer transfer odds, but considering Lionel Messi is the greatest player of our generation (and arguably one of the greatest of all time), more sportsbooks and casinos may offer Messi transfer odds. Check out the best sportsbooks available in your region and see what Messi betting options they have available.
