The Lionel Messi to PSG transfer saga is like a Love Island plot – so let’s enjoy it! 

Don’t listen to the snobs. Don’t let them persuade you there isn’t symmetry between the two biggest sagas of this summer.

While the nation toasts record exam results, there remains one question to tackle: Love Island offers useful lessons regarding the possible fate of Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain. Discuss.

Before answering, consider this: why would two lower league footballers enter this year’s villa, if not because they know nuggets of wisdom can be mined amid the sun cream and stretched bikinis?

So on to Messi. When the unthinkable was confirmed, the 34-year-old broke down in tears. Messi insisted he never wanted to leave Barcelona. 

Then, when his move to PSG edged over the line, the streets around Parc des Princes became a throng of glee. 

It was a curious sight: yes, the Ligue 1 giants have signed the finest player of his generation. 

But he left Barca against his wishes and signed for PSG by financial default. Hardly a tale dripping with romance, is it? 

As they could not afford to keep him, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain by financial default

Would anyone be so boastful if this was a new friend or partner? Who wants to be someone’s sloppy seconds? Even their Messi seconds.

The mind drifted to the island villa and another recent love triangle involving Kaz, Tyler and Matthew. A synopsis: Kaz wanted to be with Tyler. That choice was taken out of her hands. 

Almost immediately she seemed rather too pleased with Matthew, her new flame. Think Messi landing in Paris: eyes dried, smile wide. Money helps sooth wounds, of course. But brave faces eventually fade.

Matthew was this week dumped from Love Island. Kaz and Tyler are together again. For how long will Messi’s new love burn? 

The lack of romance feels like a Love Island triangle between Kaz and Tyler (pictured far left)

This transfer represents yet another nadir of a sport beset by hyper-inflation and tilting playing fields. Or so we have been told this week.

But a quick message to those relishing the prospect of watching PSG’s galactiques: don’t feel bad.

Messi, Neymar, Mbappe – this is precisely why we play fantasy football and why cheat codes exist. It is occasionally OK to indulge guilty pleasures.