James urges Messi to link up with Ronaldo at Juventus
Everton star James Rodriguez has told Lionel Messi to join Juventus so he can play alongside fellow legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentinian forward is free to find a new club this summer after his Barcelona contract failed due to ‘financial obstacles’.
There had been hope that the Catalan giants would be able to re-sign Messi once their funds had been sorted, but club president Joan Laporta has dismissed those claims.
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Messi’s most likely destination is thought to be Paris Saint-Germain.
He’s already held informal talks with Mauricio Pochettino about a move to the French capital.
Manchester City are one of the only other clubs who can afford his wages, but Pep Guardiola ruled them out of the transfer race on Friday.
30-year-old Rodriguez, currently preparing for the new Premier League campaign with Everton, has given his take on Messi’s future.
The Colombian said on Twitch (via Goal): “Messi should go to Juventus and play with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It would be a bomb. It’s the dream of many fans to see those two play together.
“Messi managed 30 goals and 30 assists for Barcelona per year at least. Now they will have to look for other players to do that.”
Speaking about the huge changes to the El Clasico, Rodriguez added: “Football has changed a lot, Messi leaving Barcelona confirms that.
“Who would have imagined that he would leave Barcelona or that Sergio Ramos would leave Real Madrid?
“El Clasicos in La Liga are going to be different. Before, the cameras were for Cristiano and Messi. Now people will still watch but it won’t be the same.”
Ramos joined PSG in July after failing to agree on a new contract with Real Madrid.
Messi playing alongside Ronaldo up front would be an incredible sight, although it’s unclear whether Juve would have the funds to complete such a move.
Serie A clubs have been struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Juve’s rivals Inter Milan have already had to sell Achraf Hakimi to PSG for £60.9m, while talisman Romelu Lukaku could join Chelsea.
