'It's a shame' - Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi urged to make shock move to English football before it's too late as ex-Premier League midfielder makes 'might fancy coming' statement despite 'climate' issues

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has sparked lively debate down the years regarding his ability to deliver on "a wet and windy night in Stoke”. He clearly could, with the Argentine superstar the most decorated player in history and a man widely considered to be the GOAT.

He has, however, stopped short of bringing the English football discussion to a close - despite facing teams from that part of the world on a regular basis during his Champions League outings for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi is now on the books of MLS side Inter Miami and will turn 38 this summer. There is no sign of him slowing down, with retirement still some way off, but the chances of him emulating eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo - who has taken in two spells at Manchester United - and gracing a Premier League stage appear to be fading.

Former Birmingham and Blackburn star David Dunn - who once lined up against Ronaldo in the Premier League - considers that to be a shame. He has told GOAL, while speaking in association with Wildz Casino: “Around the world, the Premier League is the best league. Everybody wants to be a part of that.

“It doesn’t surprise me that the top names want to be involved in English football. It’s just a shame Lionel Messi - who I think is the best player - hasn’t done it yet. But, who knows, he might fancy coming over and playing a few games. Maybe the climate doesn’t help!”

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While Messi may not fancy swapping the United States for England, plenty of investors off the field are treading that path - as they follow in the footsteps of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Tom Brady, Michael B Jordan and Will Ferrell.

Asked if he expects more deals to be done there, given the success and added exposure that the likes of Wrexham and Birmingham have enjoyed, Dunn added: “I think so. I think we will see more investors from America getting involved in lower league clubs.

“The amount of money and what it takes to buy a Premier League club, the likes of Wrexham have shown the way when it comes to investing in a smaller club. It can be done. Brilliant journey for them.”

There has been talk of Ronaldo potentially joining the “journey” at Wrexham, with a move into club ownership being mooted once he hangs up record-shattering boots, but Messi appears destined to finish his remarkable career in the Americas.