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Where would Messi fit in at PSG?

football08 August 2021 14:26| © Reuters
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Lionel Messi © Gallo Images

Can he still play with Neymar? Are Paris St Germain too attack-minded to win big trophies? And could he really end up sharing a flat with Sergio Ramos?

Here are some of the talking points after Lionel Messi announced he was leaving Barcelona, with Paris St Germain reportedly his destination of choice.

ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK

The PSG frontline is already formidable, with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar seen as two of the best players on the planet.

Both harbour ambitions to win the Ballon d'Or, however if Messi joins, will there be room for all three?

The Argentinean played alongside Neymar at Barcelona for four years, winning the 2015 Champions League - however, the Brazilian left Catalonia in a bid to step out of his teammate's shadow.

Neymar has never shied away from talking up a reunion with Messi and local reports even suggest he is willing to give up the No 10 shirt should he sign with PSG.

But would his arrival push Mbappe, who has just one year left on his deal, closer to the exit door? Can they function as a three?

Coach Mauricio Pochettino famously likes a high-pressing style of football, however, that is not in any of the potential front three's makeup. Just how he would get them to buy into his style remains to be seen.

ARE PARIS TOP HEAVY?

PSG have made no secret of their ambitions to win the Champions League, coming agonisingly close in 2020. With the addition of Messi, they maybe too top heavy to take the final step.

Scoring goals has never been their problem, however, they have often looked suspect at the back in the biggest games, with Manchester City ruthlessly exploiting them in last season's semifinal.

While they have added goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and full back Achraf Hakimi, the midfield and central defensive areas still look fragile.

Sergio Ramos has arrived to bring leadership, but his age and injury record are less than favourable.

REUNITED WITH RAMOS... AT HOME?

Messi faced off against Ramos in many a Clasico fixture while both plied their trade for Barca and Real Madrid. In Paris they would go from the best of enemies to teammates.

In March, Ramos joked that if Messi wanted to join him at Real Madrid then he'd be open to letting him bunk in his spare room. With the Spaniard having made the move to Paris already, perhaps Messi will take him up on the offer as he looks to settle in the French capital.

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