‘Did everything possible’: Inter Milan failed with an attempt to lure Messi away from Barcelona

‘Did everything possible’: Inter Milan failed with an attempt to lure Messi away from Barcelona Lionel Messi’s Barcelona story could have taken a very different turn before he became the greatest player in the club’s history. Massimo Moratti, the former president of Inter Milan, has revealed that the Italian club made a serious attempt to sign the Argentinian maestro when he was still a youngster emerging through La Masia. As quoted by SPORT , Moratti explained on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli that he actually acted on his dream to bring Messi to Inter. “More than dreaming of bringing him to Inter, I did everything possible for there to be direct contact. I had seen him play in the lower categories and I was totally impressed. Then I became interested in him,” he said. Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti. (Photo by Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty Images) Messi’s bond with Barcelona made the difference The move never progressed, partly because Moratti understood the strength of Messi’s connection with Barcelona. He pointed to the medical support Barca had given the Argentine when he arrived at the club as a young boy. He said: “I knew Barcelona had helped him medically, taking care of his treatment so he could grow physically and reach top football.” This eventually shaped Messi’s journey, as he did not make the jump to Inter Milan but used the offer to move his timeline up at the Catalan club. Inter interest helped Messi’s Barca rise Moratti also revealed that Inter approaching Messi helped him progress through the ranks at Barcelona, as the Catalan club did not want to lose him. Messi left Barcelona in 2021. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) He said: “Messi is grateful to me for this, because it helped him make the jump. His father spoke about our interest with Barcelona and, from that precise moment, they promoted him to the first team.” Messi stayed, debuted under Frank Rijkaard in 2004 and went on to become the greatest player ever to don the Blaugrana . Inter tried to take him away, but in the end, they only ended up pushing him closer to Barcelona and catalysing his rise to stardom. Although his time at Barcelona may have come to an abrupt end in 2021, the story will forever be remembered for what it was and not how it ended.