Lionel Messi was expected to pass the torch over to Kylian Mbappe at the World Cup to mark the end of an era. But, the 35-year-old has had other ideas and further strengthened his position as one of - if not - the best player of all time with a magical display against Croatia in the semi-finals.
He has been central to his nation's success in Qatar netting five goals, equalling the reigning champions' talisman, Mbappe - albeit with a game in hand. Many will see winning the World Cup as the perfect ending to an incredible career for Messi, particularly now that the Three Lions are out.
But, while all eyes are on what happens in the pair of semi-finals and the final, there is already plenty of speculation regarding the future of the Argentine magician. That is because he is set to decide where his future lies beyond the summer in the coming months.
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The 35-year-old forward faces an increasingly uncertain future at Paris Saint-Germain, with his contract at Les Parc des Princes set to expire at the end of the season. The Argentine has featured 12 times for PSG in this term, directly contributing towards 17 goals. His impressive displays had led the Parisians to the top of the table.
But, despite his awe-inspiring performances, the option to extend Messi's stay in the French capital by a further year is yet to be triggered. If the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner opts against staying at Les Parc des Princes until 2024 then he'll be eligible to begin pre-contract talks with foreign clubs - like Chelsea - in January regarding a free transfer in June.
He will earn an eye-watering £94.8million in wages should he stay at PSG for three-years, according to French newspaper L'Equipe. It's said that Messi earned €30million (£25.8million) in 2021/22 and €40million (£34.5million) over the following contracted campaigns.
Messi has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and it has been revealed that a move to Stamford Bridge in 2014 collapsed. He 'secretly' agreed to join Chelsea eight-years ago for £208million, but the move fell through after his dad and agent Jorge Messi found out about the talks between player and club. Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio revealed that Roman Abramovich reached an informal agreement with Messi over a contract.
The Russian billionaire reportedly agreed to give the forward an annual wage of $65million (£56.3million) plus 70% of his image rights to ensure a deal could be done. Messi was reportedly keen on penning said deal. However, after his father was made aware of the plans by an intermediary, who was angry he was squeezed out of the negotiations, a deal collapsed. Jose Mourinho began his second stint at Stamford Bridge when these proposed talks occurred in private.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea reignite interest in Messi under new owner Todd Boehly, though the Blues were thinly-linked upon his dramatic exit from Barcelona. With him able to open pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in less than three weeks, there are sure to be plenty of offers on the table and Chelsea could well be one.
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