Did you know that there's a football game tonight? I'm serious! There is a real-life, genuine (preseason) NFL game tonight between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. I'm asking you this because I did not know. It kind of snuck up on me, but do you know what's more amazing than the NFL preseason starting and me not even realizing it until earlier this morning?
Leo Messi is leaving Barcelona.
Yep, that's happening. One of the greatest soccer players in history, who became an international icon with the Spanish giants, will not be returning. The move comes as more of a surprise than the NFL season beginning because, up until a few hours ago, the assumption was that Messi would return. Both sides still had to hammer out contract details while Barcelona -- which is in the midst of a financial quagmire -- sorted things out. Unfortunately for Barcelona, they couldn't do so, and the club announced Thursday that an era was officially ending.
This means Messi is a true free agent now and free to sign wherever he pleases. The prevailing theory is that he'll sign with French giants Paris St. Germain. Still, it's not out of the question that he could unite with his former manager at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, and sign with Manchester City.
Could City, which stole my beloved Jack Grealish from me just yesterday for $140 million, decide to abandon its pursuit of Harry Kane for Messi instead? Possibly! Or maybe Messi will decide to come to the United States and play in MLS.
All we know right now is that his days with Barcelona are over, and it's not often that one of the greatest players of all-time in any sport hits the open market.
Now let's win some money with our picks tonight so maybe we can afford Messi ourselves.
All times Eastern, and all odds via Caesars Sportsbook
