Lionel Messi: Australia's Adelaide United try to woo Barcelona star with 'brilliant schools' and 'clean beaches'

The club wrote an open letter to the wantaway Argentine, telling him they have plenty to offer – except lots of money

(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 4, 2019 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi waves before the 54th Joan Gamper Trophy friendly football match between Barcelona and Arsenal at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Lionel Messi has informed Barcelona he wants to "unilaterally" terminate his contract with the Spanish giants, a club source confirmed to AFP on August 25, 2020. Lawyers for the Argentina star sent Barca a fax in which they announced Messi's desire to rescind his contract by triggering a release clause, sending shockwaves throughout the world of football. - / AFP / Josep LAGO

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has asked for a transfer from the Spanish giants. AFP

Ian Oxborrow author image
Ian Oxborrow
Aug 26, 2020
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Any club in the world would want Barcelona's Lionel Messi, but in reality there's only a handful who would be the right fit.

The likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been the most heavily linked since Messi was reported to have sent a faxed transfer requested to Barcelona.

However, what if there was a club willing to offer him something other than the greatest stage and a hefty wage packet?

What if Messi fancies a fresh lifestyle instead of another Champions League trophy?

Step forward Australia's Adelaide United.

The A-League club's Director and Chair of the Advisory Board, Ian Smith, has penned an open letter to Messi explaining why he should shun the likes of the Premier League or Serie A, and instead move Down Under.

"There are many reasons why you will love Adelaide, our State and Australia," Smith writes in the letter, which was published on the club's Facebook page.

He goes on to list reasons such as the way the capital of South Australia has handled the coronavirus pandemic, the Mediterranean-style climate, the vast number of Spanish speakers and "good Argentine restaurants".

"Our schools are brilliant and our universities among the world's best. Our beaches are clean and the neighbouring hills are delightful," he adds.

Even the stumbling block of potential interest from PSG and Manchester United is mentioned.

"You've been to those cities so many times, so why not choose somewhere new?" Smith writes.

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Messi: 10 potential destinations

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at at Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER CITY: Relations between Lionel Messi and Barcelona are at an all time low following the club's record scorer submitting a request by fax stating he wishes to leave - on a free transfer. According to reports, an initial meeting between new coach Ronald Koeman and Messi did not go well, with the Dutchman telling the Argentine his privileges at the club where revoked. A reunion with former Barca mentor Pep Guardiola at City would seem an ideal fit, with the club's Abu Dhabi owners able to match both Messi's wage demands and his ambitions. The man with more than 700 goals to his name could be the missing piece of the puzzle that takes City to Champions League glory. EPA

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He's honest enough to address the financial situation.

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epa08625650 (FILE) - FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, traditionally known as 'El Clasico', at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 01 March 2020, re-issued 25 August 2020. Messi has sent a certified letter to the club on 25 August communicating his intentions to leave the club. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN
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"We cannot offer you much in the form of financial compensation .... But hey, let's not let that get in the way of something that promises to be very special: once you are here, you will be so happy and money will seem merely incidental."

Adelaide United finished seventh in the 11-team A-League last season, so Messi would be moving from one underperforming team to another after Barcelona's disappointing campaign which saw them finish second in La Liga behind Real Madrid, and embarrassingly lose 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

Barcelona have yet to respond publicly but are understood to believe Messi's release clause expired in June, and that he remains under contract until the end of the 2021 season.

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