Only YOU Can Bring Lionel Messi To Arsenal

The rumors of Lionel Messi coming to Arsenal seem to come around once every year or so. But this year, there is something different about it. And I’m not referring to the tax evasion aspect of the transfer. I’m referring to the concept that Lionel Messi could become the first ever publicly-funded footballer.

Related: 5 Reasons Why Lionel Messi Will Not Come To Arsenal

That’s right, since Arsene Wenger is never going to go digging under his mattress to find that extra cash reserve to pay for Lionel Messi, Arsenal fans are taking matters into their own hands. Led by the newest Twitter sensation Matt Clark, the footballing family is coming together to pledge their support to bring Lionel Messi to England.

Judging by the commitments and number of responses, the potential fund has prompted a pretty healthy initial rush of donations. By my calculations somewhere between £500,000 and 550,000 is still needed. The call is for a mere debit of £1 per week, but some out there are stepping up their bids, wanting to be the majority shareholders of the greatest footballer in the world. Some are offering up to £10 a week to see this dream come to fruition.

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What makes the concept even more enjoyable is that many out there are pledging their support so as to see Lionel Messi come to an EPL team that isn’t Manchester United. Such comments warm my heart.

This story is picking up quite a bit of steam. GQ magazine has picked it up and just about every British footballing news hub has picked it up as well. Exposure is only going to make this potential project bigger. At the very least, maybe Arsene Wenger will notice it and chip in £25 or something big like that.

We must also consider what happens if, when the money is undoubtedly raised, nothing happens. As much as we want to bring Lionel Messi to England, we must remember that no matter how much money is raised, it still requires Wenger to make the offer. Well, fret not. If Arsenal fail to use the £600,000 a week raised by thousands of loyal and dedicated fans on Lionel Messi, the money will go to the Arsenal Fund. It’s a win-win.

We are still awaiting an outlet to donate this money towards, but we will be sure to let you know as soon as you can contribute. After all, don’t you want to be a shareholder of Lionel Messi? Imagine telling your grandchildren, “I paid to bring Lionel Messi to Arsenal. That was me.”

Channel your inner Smokey the Bear. Here, I’ll help.

It’s up to you! If, at the end of the day, Lionel Messi remains at Barcelona and you did not chip in that £1 a week, how will you feel? You will have let all of England down.

Lionel Messi is going to go down as one of the greatest footballers to have lived. But there is no competition quite like playing in England. Are you going to rob Messi of the chance of plying his trade in the hardest league in the world? The choice is yours. Just know that if you don’t contribute, you are letting yourself, your family, Lionel Messi and England down. Who else is there to let down?