Transfer: ‘Lionel Messi was offered to Real Madrid’ – Portugal reveals

Former Real Madrid technical secretary Miguel Ángel Portugal has revealed that the Spanish club had an opportunity to sign Lionel Messi in 2001, before the Argentine eventually committed his future to Barcelona.

Portugal, who worked at Real Madrid in different roles as a player, Castilla coach, scout and technical secretary between 2007 and 2009, made the disclosure while reflecting on the young talents he followed during his time at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, he explained that someone close to Messi reportedly approached Real Madrid when the youngster’s professional future at Barcelona was still uncertain.

“There was a time when they could have snapped him (Messi) 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,” Portugal said, as reported by Madrid Universal.

He further disclosed that the information reached the club and some contact took place, but Real Madrid did not seriously pursue the opportunity.

“I don’t know if it was true or not, 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 added. Portugal also stressed that the matter never developed into formal negotiations and that he could not independently verify the information.

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy in 2000 at the age of 13 after leaving Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys. He made his first-team debut for the Catalan giants in 2004 and went on to become one of the most celebrated footballers in history.

During his time at Camp Nou, the Argentine scored 672 goals in 778 competitive appearances and won eight Ballon d’Or awards, establishing himself as an iconic figure in Barcelona’s history.

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Portugal’s revelation has renewed interest in the possibility of what might have happened if Real Madrid had pursued Messi before his rise to global superstardom.