Barcelona famous person Lionel Messi was on verge of becoming a member of Chelsea in 2004 after telephone name with Jose Mourinho

Lionel Messi reportedly got here extraordinarily near becoming a member of Chelsea in 2004 after the Barcelona famous person had a non-public dialog with Jose Mourinho.

In line with Sky Italia, the Particular One phoned Messi shortly earlier than his appointment as boss of the Blues.

The Portuguese tactician, now Tottenham supervisor, had steered Porto to glory within the Champions League towards the percentages to make his identify as one of many hottest properties in administration.

Messi, who turned 17 a month into the Mourinho’s reign at Stamford Bridge, then tried to go away Barcelona in favour of a swap to west London, however the transfer failed to come back to fruition.

The Argentine ahead has since grow to be synonymous with Barca for greater than a decade, serving to the membership win 4 Champions League crowns, ten LaLiga titles and lots of different trophies.

The 33-year-old, who has scored a exceptional 634 objectives in 730 matches for the Catalans, sensationally expressed his want to go away the membership in the summertime – a transfer which was rejected by the board.

Barca chiefs insisted any suitor must pay his £630m launch clause, a transfer which has seen Messi reluctantly determine to see his out the ultimate yr of his contract.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted he was completely satisfied the participant opted to stay in Spain forward of his facet’s World Cup qualifier towards Ecuador on Friday.

Scaloni mentioned: “I spoke to Leo when every part was resolved and I noticed him calm. He’s now properly in his membership.

“For us, it’s constructive that he stayed as a result of he was capable of play instantly. He is aware of the membership, however by way of choices, we don’t become involved in that, we don’t step within the participant’s territory.”