Friday 18 December 2015 11:24, UK
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Angel Di Maria is confident the French champions will lure compatriot Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
Speculation has been mounting over the future of the 27-year-old Argentina international at the Nou Camp in recent months, but Barcelona are desperate to retain his services along with team-mates Neymar and Luis Suarez, who are the subject of interest among other top clubs in Europe.
Should Messi decide to leave, Di Maria believes PSG would be able to compete with any club in the world for the four-time Ballon d'Or winner's signature.
"I hope PSG can bring Messi to Paris one day," the former Real Madrid and Juventus midfielder said. "Everything is possible. It is all about money. It would take a lot of money to sign a player like him.
"But it would be great for Ligue 1 and French football in general if Messi joined PSG. The club has the resources to sign him and he could come to Paris."
And Di Maria, who moved to the runaway Ligue 1 leaders from Old Trafford in the summer, is backing his compatriot to add a fifth Ballon d'Or to his collection by edging out fellow-nominees Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo next month.
"Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar all scored a lot of goals and had spectacular years," he said. "But the Champions League often plays a big role in who wins it and Barcelona won that competition.
"That's why I think Messi has the best chance. He won the treble and has a good chance. Cristiano Ronaldo also had a good season. But it is not as much as other favorites."
