Guillem Balague has revealed the events that led to Arsene Wenger failing to sign Lionel Messi – who was 15 years at the time – from Barcelona.
According to the top Spanish football source, Wenger tried to sign Messi and Gerard Pique, around the same time he swooped for Cesc Fabregas.
Messi has cemented his place among the Camp Nou legends, winning four Ballon d’Or awards, six La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and a pair of Club World Cups. But it could have been very different if Arsenal were able to sort out logistics and work permit issues.
Guillem Balague, who works with Sky Sports as a pundit, wrote in his biography of the player titled ‘Messi': “Although the international scouting system was far less developed and universal than it is today, it would have been impossible for the generation of ’87 not to have attracted admiring glances from foreign clubs. So it was that during the 2002-03 season the Cadete A side was followed closely by Arsenal who were looking to sign not just Cesc Fabregas, but also Gerard Pique and Leo Messi.
“It all began with a game in Lloret de Mar against Parma. On that day Pique didn’t play, but the rest of the gang, who had already won the game, did. Arsenal’s representative in Spain, Francis Cagigao was astonished.
“He had just witnessed something very different, and quite extraordinary, namely the control of Cesc and the talent of Leo. He spent that day, and many more, fruitlessly searching for the Argentinian’s agent.
“He came back to see Alex Garcia’s side in the MIC tournament at Easter. While Barcelona were battling against a new rival, Cagigao was speaking on the telephone. ‘If only I could find someone who works with the Argentinian youngster…’ As he put the phone down one of Leo’s representatives in Spain, Horacio Gaggioli, who had overheard the conversation, approached him. ‘I believe you’re looking for me.’
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