Former Barcelona club president Joan Laporte revealed that more than a decade ago, Inter Milan made an offer for Lionel Messi that was difficult to comprehend.
J. Laporta, who held the position of Barcelona's president from 2003 to 2010, said that in 2006 Inter proposed a record-breaking sum for the Argentine.
"Inter's owner Moratti offered 250 million euros, but my immediate response was 'no'. I didn't hesitate for a minute, but I was concerned that Inter would start pressuring Lionel's father," Laporta revealed previously unheard information.
"I spoke with Jorge and immediately told him that they would probably earn more money at Inter, but in Barcelona he would have everything to become a great player, as well as a familiar environment and values that have helped him since he was 13," Laporta continued.
"Luckily, they decided to stay at the club. Imagine how history would have changed if we had sold Messi," added Laporta, who did not rule out the possibility of participating in the Barcelona presidential elections again in 2021.
