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Drinks on Lionel…

In news that’s gonna shake up the football world, superstar-player Lionel Messi has signed on for a five-year deal with Manchester City, in a deal valued at $1 billion AUD. The deal comes after Messi blew minds last week for announcing his intention to leave FC Barcelona, the club he’s been at since he was 13-years-old.

However, according to reports, Messi might be jumping teams throughout the five years. Specifically, he’s signed with City Football Group, which owns MLS club New York City, A-League club Melbourne City and Manchester City. Thus, reports are speculating that Messi will play for Man City for three years before finishing off his long career in New York for the last two years.

However, Barcelona has stated that the only way they can release Messi is if he pays the €700 million ($1.1 billion AUD) release clause, which is set to run until next June. Yet, Messi has been noticeably absent from pre-season training this week, believing that a clause in his contract allows him to leave on a free transfer has been activated. Fingers crossed Man City and Barcelona can come to an agreement soon to get him out.

Pretty crazy stuff, check out some of the football legend’s best goals below.