“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve realised my dream” - When 20-year-old Lionel Messi responded to Barcelona exit rumors after Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him
Former Barcelona player Lionel Messi once ruled out a move to Premier League side Manchester United after reports emerged that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring him to Old Trafford. At the time, the diminutive Argentine said that he was happy playing at Barcelona while also claiming that it is the best club in the world.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United were once in the best position to sign Lionel Messi, as the latter was ''more charmed'' by historic English clubs. The Red Devils at the time were one of the dominant teams in the English top tier, which would have given them a big advantage to sign Messi if he had chosen to move to England during his prime.
Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly believed to be interested in Messi when he was 20 years of age. However, the La Masia graduate went on to pour cold water on such exit rumors from Camp Nou at the time, telling FourFourTwo:
