Lionel Messi, the Argentine maestro, continues to dazzle the football world with his unparalleled brilliance. His latest masterpiece—a breathtaking free kick for Inter Miami in their 2-1 Club World Cup victory over Porto—has reignited discussions about his ability to dominate European football, even at 38. With 50 goals in 61 games for David Beckham’s Inter Miami, Messi’s magic remains undimmed, prompting speculation that he could still rewrite history in the Premier League—a league he never graced during his European tenure.
In the past, both Manchester City and Chelsea came tantalizingly close to securing the services of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. In 2014, Chelsea’s pursuit fell short as Messi opted to cement his legacy at Barcelona, where he won LaLiga 10 times. Then, in a Sliding Doors moment in August 2020, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City nearly lured him to the Etihad, only for the move to collapse. Instead, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, a decision that talkSPORT host Jason Cundy labeled “boring.” While at PSG, Messi didn’t quite replicate his Barcelona heroics but still achieved immortality by leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, solidifying his status as one of football’s all-time greats.
Now thriving in the MLS, Messi’s recent performances have sparked a bold claim from talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein: the Argentine could be the key to ending Arsenal’s 21-year Premier League title drought. “If Messi plays up top for Arsenal, he wins them the Premier League,” Goldstein declared. “I genuinely do. If you’ve got Messi scoring goals, I think he wins them the title.”
Goldstein’s assertion hinges on Arsenal’s need for a clinical No. 9, a role he believes Messi could adapt to despite not being a traditional centre-forward. “Kai Havertz isn’t the answer,” he argued, suggesting that Messi’s goal-scoring prowess and unrivaled vision could transform the Gunners into champions. While Cundy questioned whether Messi would start for every Premier League side, he conceded that the Argentine might regret bypassing the chance to test himself in England’s top flight.
Reflecting on Messi’s move to PSG, Cundy didn’t hold back. “It was so boring. City were in for him. I believe Chelsea were in for him. Imagine if he’d come to the Premier League. Imagine what that would have been like.” He speculated that Messi might now wish he’d chosen differently, given the Premier League’s global allure as the world’s most-watched league. “It was so right for that particular little portal for him to come,” Cundy added. “He went to PSG. Bore off.”
The debate also drew comparisons to Messi’s eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, with Cundy marveling at how both have “pushed boundaries beyond anything we’ve ever seen.” Having witnessed legends like Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane, Cundy believes Messi and Ronaldo have surpassed them all, their longevity and brilliance setting them apart.
Could Messi still conquer the Premier League? Goldstein is convinced that a move to Arsenal would not only erase any lingering regrets but also deliver the ultimate prize. “If Messi went to Arsenal, they’d win the Premier League,” he insisted. For a player who has won it all—10 LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues, and a World Cup—the Premier League remains the one glaring omission from his glittering resume. With Arsenal hungry for glory and Messi still performing at an elite level, could this be the perfect opportunity to right a past regret and etch his name into English football history?
As the football world watches Messi weave his magic in Miami, the tantalizing prospect of him lighting up the Premier League lingers. For Arsenal fans dreaming of a first title since 2004, the idea of Messi leading their charge is nothing short of a fairytale—one that could still come true.