A bombshell report from Argentina has sent the rumour mill into overdrive after it emerged that Lionel Messi could leave Inter Miami.

It was widely thought that Messi was enjoying the last years of his glorious career when he moved to Florida in 2023.

The Argentine superstar famously 'completed football' after he won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Going to the United States was a move to allow him to complete what was left of his career in a less competitive league.

However, ESPN journalist Esteban Edul now reports that Messi could be interested in dumping David Beckham's side and move to a 'competitive league' ahead of next year's World Cup.

Messi is yet to retire from international duty and is expected to headline Argentina's title defence in the United States, Mexico and Canada tournament next year.

His current contract expires at the end of this year, and he could move to another league for the six months heading into the World Cup.

With this fresh information, we take a look at some of the clubs Messi could possibly join if he indeed leaves Miami.

If there was anyone who thought the South American leagues weren't competitive, then the Club World Cup has surely changed their minds.

A potential fairytale return to where it all began could be on the cards for Messi. He was a member of the iconic "The Machine of '87" in his formative years in Rosario before Barcelona came calling.

The Los Leprosos are currently ninth in Group A of the Argentine league with 19 points.

Wage demands shouldn't be a big issue as the allure of seeing out his career on home soil and giving back to the nation would be greater than any salary concerns.

But should the wage demands still be an issue, Messi has an immediate way out in the Middle East.

Al Hilal offered a crazy amount of money to convince the father of three to join them back in 2023, but that deal didn't materialise.

Now, under Simone Inzaghi and playing beautiful football at the Club World Cup, the Blue Waves would instantly offer the same amount, if not more, to have the Argentine play for them.

Al Hilal also have a 'loot' they are desperately looking to spend on a marquee signing after missing out on both Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes. The club bought one of Messi's best friends, Neymar, but after a series of injuries, cut ties with him.

The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo plays in the same league can't be overstated. GOAT debate all over again? Who wouldn't want that?

If it is competitiveness he is looking for, no other place can offer it better than the Premier League.

Chelsea's current structure under the Clearlake consortium only goes for young talents, but no owner in their right mind would reject the chance to sign Messi because of his age.

Chelsea make our list because, get this, for some reason, it is one of the five clubs he follows on Instagram (his only social media account).

He doesn't follow PSG, for obvious reasons. The clubs he follows are Barcelona, Newell's Old Boys, Inter Miami, of course and apart from Chelsea, the other surprising club is Manchester City.

Speaking of Manchester City, it has always been a strong option as one of Messi's preferred destinations due to the relationship he enjoyed with Pep Guardiola.

Like Chelsea, City can easily pay Messi his wage demands, and he will slot in quickly due to the aforementioned Guardiola bond.

The Citizens lost Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer this summer, losing the creative spark that Messi could triple at the heart of City's attack.

Guardiola has already spent millions bringing in new players like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, plus Rodri is almost like a new signing after recovering from his ACL, but that didn't stop them from getting eliminated by Al Hilal.

The most obvious choice on paper, if you take away Messi's fractured relationship with club president Joan Laporta, and oh, their debt crisis.

Like anyone else, Messi never expected to leave the Blaugrana in the manner he did, and he could be open to returning to close out the most successful chapter of his career.

There is, of course, the issue of Barcelona having found his heir apparent already in Lamine Yamal, but the prospect of Yamal and Messi playing for the same team is already mouthwatering.

The five clubs are the most logical ones, but Messi still has an array of clubs he could go to. Brazilian top teams like Fluminense and Palmeiras could readily offer the competition he wants.

Serie A clubs like Napoli and AC Milan could also be options after their recent signings of veterans De Bruyne and Luka Modric.

Bayern Munich are the other powerhouse with the wherewithal to pull someone of Messi's calibre.

Source: TUKO.co.ke