Lionel Messi during a 2024 Copa America match for Argentina.
Photo: X
Horacio Gaggioli, Lionel MessiThe first agent of ‘s, recently revealed that teams like real Madrid and Arsenal had shown interest in acquiring the player. MessiThe European adventure began at the age of 13 when he moved from Rosario, Argentina to Barcelona Messi joined the club’s youth system, La Masia. Gaggioli, as Messi’s agent, played a crucial role in securing his first contract with the Catalan club in February 2001. Shortly after, Messi progressed through the youth ranks to the first team, making his first-team debut in October 2004.
“Real Madrid were interested in him when he was young, he was 16 or 17, but Leo never wanted to leave Barcelona,” Gaggioli told Koora in an interview.
“Yes, Arsenal showed interest in signing Messi early in his career, but he didn’t want to leave Barca,” he also mentioned about the Premier League giants.
Messi has always had his loyalty to Barcelona and this incident is proof of that.
In 2021, Lionel Messi had to part ways with Barcelona as the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial difficulties and La Liga’s salary regulations. He signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent before being transferred to his current team, Inter Miami, the following summer.
“It was a very difficult time. Leo didn’t want to leave Barcelona, but circumstances forced him to do so,” Gaggioli explained.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has frequently expressed his deep loyalty to Barcelona over the years. During his 778 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2021, Messi scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists. He is widely regarded as the club’s greatest ever player.
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