How Paris Saint-Germain could line up with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

The dream of watching Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play on the same team was seemingly set to remain a dream as the two legendary attackers entered the final knockings of their careers.

However, fans could yet witness a remarkable partnership comprising Ronaldo and Messi, with the former reportedly asking to leave Manchester United in the current transfer window amid concerns over the Red Devils' ability to win trophies.

Ronaldo is determined to win the Champions League for one final time before he hangs up his boots, and even though Paris Saint-Germain's record in that department is poor to say the least, the French champions have unsurprisingly been linked with a swoop for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner

Journalist Pedro Almeida has claimed that PSG football advisor Luis Campos has now made contact with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to float the idea of a sensational move to Paris for the 37-year-old.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how PSG could line up should Ronaldo make the switch to the Parc des Princes to play alongside long-time rival Messi.

PSG manager Christophe Galtier has already hinted that he will experiment with a three-man defence during his tenure at the club, which could see the French champions set up in a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2 to accommodate their wealth of attacking talent.

With Kylian Mbappe committing himself to a new deal until the summer of 2025, the Frenchman and Messi will be two of the first names on the teamsheet, and the former could start alongside Ronaldo in a front two.

The ever-versatile Messi would therefore feature just behind the duo in the number 10 role, which would also suit new arrival Vitinha down to the ground, but that means no room for Neymar in the final third.

The 30-year-old has been persistently linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 giants in recent weeks anyway, and it can be assumed that PSG will not add Ronaldo's extortionate salary to the books without letting Neymar go first.

Of course, Galtier could also choose to start Ronaldo as the focal point in a 3-4-3 formation, with Mbappe up to his usual tricks on the left and Messi acting on the opposite flank.

Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes would both welcome the opportunity to return to their previous wing-back roles after starring in such positions for Inter Milan and Sporting Lisbon respectively.

Marco Verratti and Danilo Pereira would seemingly act as Galtier's first-choice midfield pairing, unless a deal for Renato Sanches can be concluded before the start of the season.

Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos and Presnel Kimpembe are ready to link up in a formidable backline ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, although the latter continues to be linked with a move to Chelsea as PSG work on a deal for Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan.