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Even though die-hard Barcelona fans would never agree with the fact that Lionel Messi could be replaced ever, they have to accept that someday the Argentine, who may be the club's best ever player, and perhaps one of the greatest of all time, is going to depart from the Camp Nou.
Messi will turn 32 next month, and he probably has just a little over a couple of years more for Barcelona. With Real Madrid focusing on harnessing young talent, Barca wouldn't be much behind in terms of philosophy to have a young and dynamic squad playing for them.
With the Liverpool debacle this week, it is obvious that sometimes the team relies way too much over the genius from Argentina, and on the days when he does not bring his 'A' game to the field, Barcelona have looked complacent and not so great as they actually are.
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Today, we take a look at the top 3 potential replacements for Messi that the Blaugranes could line up, so that the transition from the existing Messi era to the after-Messi era goes smoothly. Have a look!
#3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Last season, Mohamed Salah took the Premier League by storm after his brilliant run for Liverpool, scoring 44 goals in all major competitions in which the Reds participated in. He also had 14 assists last season.
After last year's sensational performances, Salah was labelled as a 'One season wonder' by all opposition fans and neutral fans around Europe, but the Egyptian has smashed the claims by again putting in an amazing run of performances this season too.
He has 26 goals and 13 assists this season with 2 games yet to be played - the last Premier League game on Sunday, and the Champions League final on 1st of June.
There is no doubt that Salah has developed into one of the top players in the world in the last few years, and we can certainly assume that as of today, he might be in the top 10 players in the world right now.
The Liverpool forward is just 26 right now, and probably has around 5-6 years still on his side, and if he continues his form and his consistent goal-scoring adventures, Barca might just have found their replacement for their Argentine legend.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe might be on the radar for Barcelona's rivals' Real Madrid right now, but the Blancos have been pushing for the transfers of Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba more than the move for the French wonderkid, resulting in a chance that Mbappe would still be at PSG next season.
Also, Mbappe being just 20 years old, has still time over his side, so any club would be willing to wait for a few more seasons to buy the player, and it still won't be late.
Now as to why Mbappe would be one of the best replacements for Messi? The French World Cup winner's conquests in the past year surely provide enough evidence.
Mbappe is pacy, falls back for defense, has an eye for the pass, and scores loads of goals every season - exactly what Lionel Messi has been offering to Barcelona since the past decade.
Mbappe at Barcelona is a mouthwatering prospect, and with Lionel Messi still in the team and still in form, if Barcelona secure Mbappe early, we could be in for a Messi-Mbappe partnership for a few seasons at the Camp Nou. Destructive!
#1 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
There is no doubt Raheem Sterling has been Premier League's best player this season.
Even if Virgil van Dijk won the PFA Player of the year for his amazing defending for Liverpool, Sterling has been an explosive offensive player in the Premiership this season. No defender would fancy playing against the young man.
Since Guardiola's arrival at City in 2016, Sterling has become a monster under the tutelage of the Spanish coach, who has coached Barcelona earlier and has won the best of all accolades with the Blaugranes. Not to miss, Guardiola has a special relationship with Messi, who many fans feel has the biggest role in the Argentine becoming the best of all time.
Sterling is only 24 right now, and looking at the growth of the player in the last 2 years, there is no doubt that he will be one of the best in his position in the next 2 years or so, definitely a top 3 contender for the best wingers in the world.
He also scores a lot of goals for his club, if not as much as Messi does, but he is not very far. Sterling has 22 goals and 10 assists for City this season in all competitions.
Though replacing Messi is going to be a herculean task, Barcelona should start preparing for the same, as the Argentine is going to leave a huge void at the club on his departure, or shall we say retirement, as it is very unlikely that Messi will leave Barcelona for another club.
