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Could Cristiano Ronaldo join Lionel Messi at Barcelona?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 13, 2020 1:30 PM ET

Before you automatically assume this is a transaction straight out of a "FIFA" video game title, remember that it's 2020 and weirder things have happened this year.

ESPN's latest transfer roundup involves a fascinating rumor recently mentioned by Spanish football insider Guillem Balague as he was speaking for BBC 5 Live Sport.

According to Balague, Juventus' early exit from the Champions League has the Serie A winners considering selling 35-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo before the start of the new season.

With the coronavirus pandemic reportedly preventing clubs from around the world splashing cash they'd otherwise spend on such an available talent, Balague suggested that Ronaldo could spurn former club Real Madrid and possibly join Spanish rivals Barcelona.

'Juventus wants to get rid of his wage, he's been offered everywhere including Barcelona' @GuillemBalague on the future of @Cristiano Ronaldo

⚽ https://t.co/3CW3Ngo4mY pic.twitter.com/OB8W9XH5oz
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) August 12, 2020

Ronaldo could also be offered to Major League Soccer, but it's unknown if the North American top-flight could afford him.

"And there's been talks about the MLS because Juventus want to get rid of that wage," Balague explained. "It is as drastic as that. He's been offered everywhere, including Barcelona."

While Ronaldo and fellow generational talent Lionel Messi may not be the best of friends, the two have been known to have a positive relationship over the years, and Messi could depart Camp Nou after the 2020-21 campaign. As noted by Goal.com, Ronaldo's much-publicized exit from Real in July 2018 wasn't the sport's most amicable departure.

Barcelona, meanwhile, may be strapped for cash, but winning this season's Champions League competition along with completing other business could be enough to pair Ronaldo and Messi in the same lineup for a dream season.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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