Despite Barcelona serving a one-year transfer ban, the Lionel Messi transfer rumors persist. The latest has the 27-year-old joining Chelsea or Manchester City in a move that will cost an unprecedented £500 million (via Independent). The cost comes from a £200 million release clause plus wages and bonuses.
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Feeding fuel to the fire, the Spanish media have even turned to arch rivals Real Madrid for headline news. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas took the bait.
When asked if he would sign the four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, Casillas was reluctant.
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"I don't know," he said (via AS). "I don't know if it [the rumor] is true. Would I sign Messi for Real Madrid? No. Right now, with the people who we are, we are very well and we are achieving great things."
"I think he is comfortable at Barcelona."
Manager Carlo Ancelotti, however, sang a different tune. Even he readily admitted no club could resist Messi's services.
"As regards to Messi, it's complicated to comment," Ancelotti said (via AS). "I'd say that Messi would have a place in any team in the world."
Should the impossible happen and Messi switched allegiances, he would not be the first player to do so. Alfonso Albeniz set the precedent in 1902, swapping scarlet and blue for the all white kit of Los Galacticos. Iconic footballers the likes of Luis Figo, Michael Laudrup and Luis Milla followed suit in the decades to come.
Just don't expect Messi to join the fray. Despite his talismanic talents, Real Madrid remain World and European champions without him.
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