Lionel Messi could be leaving Barcelona sooner than expected.

The Argentine's future at Camp Nou has been cast into doubt after a public spat with the club's sporting director, Eric Abidal, over comments he made about Barcelona's performances.

"Many players were not satisfied or didn’t work hard and there was also an internal communication issue,” Abidal told Sport. "I told the club what I thought and had to make a decision.”f

And Messi fired back by saying: “I honestly don’t like to do these things but I think everyone has to be responsible for their tasks and take care of their decisions.

“The players for what happens on the pitch, and we are also the first to acknowledge when we were not good.

Messi's clash with Abidal

"Those responsible for the area of sports management must also assume their responsibilities and above all take charge of the decisions they make.

“Finally, I think that when talking about players, we should give names because otherwise we are getting everyone dirty and feeding things that are said and are not true.”

His fiery Instagram reaction has sparked suggestions that Messi could wave goodbye to Barcelona, especially if Abidal and Josep Maria Bartomeu remain in their positions.

Messi's most likely suitors?

It's reported that Messi has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave in the summer and his current deal expires imminently in 2021 even if that isn't the case.

So, it's only natural that some of Europe's biggest clubs are tentatively doing the maths if the once in a lifetime opportunity to sign Messi did emerge in the coming months.

But of all the teams sniffing around for his signature, which is the most likely to secure a deal? Well, bookmakers Ladbrokes have compiled their list and believe Manchester City are the best placed.

Odds on Messi's next club

You can check out their full odds down below to see Messi's potential list of suitors:

8. Real Madrid - 66/1

7. Liverpool - 33/1

6. Juventus - 25/1

=5. Manchester United - 20/1

=5. Bayern Munich - 20/1

3. Inter Milan - 14/1

2. Paris Saint-Germain - 12/1

1. Manchester City - 7/1

Considering Messi's connection with Pep Guardiola and the endless money reserves at the Etihad Stadium, a move to Manchester seems the most likely of these unfathomable possibilities.

PSG also have the financial brawn to make it happen, but Messi is unlikely to be excited by the idea of playing in Ligue 1, even if it meant forming a trio with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. 

Inter Milan seem the next most realistic candidates having tried to sign Messi in the past, while the likes of United, Bayern and Liverpool are where the list starts drifting into fantasy land.

Besides, Ladbrokes also have it at 1/7 that Messi will remain at Barcelona, so don't get your hopes up too soon about the GOAT searching for greener grass elsewhere.