Barcelona legend Lionel Messi was once offered to Real Madrid, former official reveals: ‘Could have snapped him up’

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi was once offered to Real Madrid, former official reveals: ‘Could have snapped him up’ Lionel Messi could have joined Real Madrid before becoming Barcelona’s greatest-ever player, according to former Madrid technical secretary Miguel Angel Portugal, who has revealed that an intermediary once offered the Argentine to the Spanish giants. Speaking to AS , Portugal discussed several players he had monitored during his time working in Real Madrid’s recruitment department.  Among the names he mentioned were Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Robinho.  However, his revelation about Messi stands out given the extraordinary rivalry the Argentine would go on to define. Portugal, who worked in several roles at Real Madrid, claimed the opportunity emerged when Messi was yet to secure a professional contract with Barcelona and his renewal situation was unresolved.  The former Madrid official also suggested that respect for Barcelona ultimately prevented the possibility from progressing. Messi was offered to Real Madrid in 2001 Lionel Messi was also offered to Real Madrid in 2001. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) Portugal explained that the opportunity arose around 2001, when Messi was still a teenager, and his contractual situation at Barcelona had not been finalised.  According to the former Madrid official, someone from the Argentine’s circle approached the Spanish capital club with the possibility of signing him. “There was a time when they could have snapped him up.  “He didn’t yet have a professional contract with Barça, he hadn’t quite finalised his renewal, and someone close to him offered him to Madrid,” he said. Ultimately, Messi went on to become Barcelona’s record goalscorer, win eight Ballons d’Or and establish himself as one of the defining figures in the club’s history.  As such, a move to Real Madrid would have fundamentally changed the story of Spanish football. Real Madrid avoided damaging relations with Barcelona Imagine a world where Lionel Messi played for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Meanwhile, Portugal was extremely careful not to suggest that a transfer was ever close to completion.  He acknowledged that the information reaching the club may not have been entirely accurate and that the possibility was never seriously pursued. Expanding on the story, he admitted that Real Madrid received information suggesting Messi could be available.  “I don’t know if it was true or not, but word reached the club that they could go after him. The opportunity was there.  “We didn’t want to sever ties with Barça, but there was indeed some contact. Although, out of respect, I don’t think it would have gone ahead,” he concluded.