Lionel Messi reportedly came extremely close to joining Chelsea in 2004 after the Barcelona superstar had a private conversation with Jose Mourinho.
According to Sky Italia , the Special One phoned Messi shortly before his appointment as boss of the Blues.
The Portuguese tactician, now Tottenham manager, had steered Porto to glory in the Champions League against the odds to make his name as one of the hottest properties in management.
Messi, who turned 17 a month into the Mourinho’s reign at Stamford Bridge, then attempted to leave Barcelona in favour of a switch to west London, but the move failed to come to fruition.
The Argentine forward has since become synonymous with Barca for more than a decade, helping the club win four Champions League crowns, ten LaLiga titles and many other trophies.
The 33-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 634 goals in 730 matches for the Catalans, sensationally expressed his desire to leave the club in the summer – a move which was rejected by the board.
Barca chiefs insisted any suitor would have to pay his £630m release clause, a move which has seen Messi reluctantly decided to see out the final year of his contract.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted he was happy the player opted to remain in Spain ahead of his side’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Friday.
Scaloni said: “I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm. He’s now well in his club.
“For us, it’s positive that he stayed because he was able to play immediately. He knows the club, but in terms of decisions, we don’t get involved in that, we don’t step in the player’s territory.”
Scooper
