Lionel Messi was the most in-demand soccer player in 2021 when he confirmed his exit from FC Barcelona. There were numerous clubs that wanted to sign the Argentine superstar and as it turns out AC Milan was one of them.
Paolo Maldini, former player and technical director of the Serie A side, revealed intricate details about the failed move. He revealed on PoretCast podcast: “We tried to sign Leo Messi. I wanted him, we called for it but after 10 days we understood it was just impossible. It is too late now, but a player like Messi is a spectacle for anyone to witness. When I read that he might even go to Inter, I got scared!”
This name is really very expensive and it takes a lot to get it pic.twitter.com/CBh2v6JnNj
— Santose (@O_santose) November 22, 2023
Maldini was the technical director of AC Milan from 2019 to 2023. The legendary center-back has been a big admirer of Messi and led the charge for the move of the little magician to San Siro. Signing Messi would have improved the attacking threat of AC Milan from the right wing, but PSG came ahead of the Italian side and sealed the signature of Messi on a free deal.
Buying Messi is not difficult. It is impossible🔥
GOAT⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zsuN7EM6ea
— Dr Crickter (@drcrickter) November 22, 2023
AC Milan on the other hand went on to win the Serie A in 2021/22 in a nail-biting season. They finished ahead of their city rivals, Inter Milan, by two points. As revealed by Maldini, Inter Milan was also interested in Messi in 2021 and would have surely titled the title in favor of Inter Milan but both Italian sides failed to sign the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Comments like “This name is really very expensive and it takes a lot to get it,” “Buying Messi is not difficult. It is impossible. GOAT.” “They all want Messi” and “He could have won you the UCL,” echoed the sentiments of the fans. Fans of the Argentine superstar were excited about this revelation.
Lionel Messi can join AC Milan after Inter Miami due to his Italian connection
On the surface level, some fans might feel that Messi won’t ever join an Italian side in Serie A. However, there is a deep connection between Italy and the family of Lionel Messi. The 2013 biography of Lionel Messi by Guillem Balagué revealed an interesting Italian connection.
As per the biography, the father of Lionel Messi, Jorge Messi, is of Italian and Spanish descent. He came from a line of immigrants from the north-central Adriatic Marche region of Italy. On the other hand, Celia Cuccittini, mother of Lionel Messi, has primarily Italian ancestry. As per some reports, Messi’s ancestors moved to Argentina in 1883 which opens an interesting plot point for Lionel Messi’s career.
🕰 | FACTS | Messi’s multi-cultural heritage
Messi’s family stayed in the Italian city of Ancona long time back. Later, his ancestor Angelo Messi immigrated to Argentina in 1883 and made Argentina their permanent address. pic.twitter.com/tHzlvScT5k
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) August 30, 2018
There has been heavy speculation on Messi’s next move after Inter Miami. Some reports point to a return to Argentina, while other points to a deserving retirement. However, the story of Lionel Messi could come to a full circle, starting from his ancestors who moved away from Italy to return with a move to Serie A. The Italian fans can at least dream about the move due to this connection.
