Messi wouldn't be the first legend to leave at 31
A change of scenery after what would be 18 years at the Camp Nou for Lionel Messi is now a thorough possibility, and the Argentine wouldn't be the first to make such a move at 31 years of age. Joining the club at 13, an exit when the forward's contract runs out in 2018 is being considered by Messi, which would see him following in the footsteps of Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Maradona, and more.
Johan Cruyff
Having set the world alight at Ajax and Barcelona, the mercurial Dutchman jumped ship after disagreements with the board and joined Los Angeles Aztecs at the age of 31. Spells with Washington Diplomats, Levante, back with Ajax, and finally Feyenoord saw out his career.Franz Beckenbauer
A venture to North America was also the reason for this legend's departure from Bayern Munich, joining New York Cosmos for a combined four years, which was interrupted by a return to Germany for two seasons with Hamburg.Diego Maradona
The infamous Argentine played his best football at Napoli, winning Serie A in a seven season stay that was cut short when he tested positive for cocaine at 31, forcing him to leave the Partenopei. His comeback took place in Sevilla a year later, before stints with Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors as drug and weight problems swallowed his career.Ronaldo
Real Madrid adored the Brazilian for his goalscoring knack but the reality was that Ronaldo's last season at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was mired by injuries, the striker leaving for AC Milan but failing to reach his former heights.
