Lionel Messi’s former agent Fabian Soldini has revealed that the best player in football history was tempted to join Arsenal.
Messi, eight times Ballon d’Or, ends his career in Florida with Inter Miami, supported by David Beckham, for whom he scored seven goals and provided four assists in eight matches this season.
Inter beat out FC Barcelona and a major offer from Saudi Arabia to sign him on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and Apple’s MLS viewing figures since his arrival are extraordinary. The 36-year-old has been in high demand throughout his career and Arsenal tried to get the upper hand on the competition before his arrival at Barcelona, as Soldini revealed in an interview with Marca.
‘He was tempted’
“He was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn’t go”recalls Soldini of the time the Gunners signed Cesc Fabregas from La Masia, in 2003. “ I remember the day Cesc asked to leave. Messi was also asked to leave, but (ultimately) he didn’t want to leave. »
Messi has scored 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 matches for the Blaugrana, which is a record for the club. He won 10 Ligas and four Champions Leagues with the club, and was widely considered the best player in the world when he left for PSG for free in 2021. Although he played for his third club – and fourth if you count Newell’s Old Boys in his youth – Messi never cost anyone a transfer fee.
