In a surprising development, Andre Cury, a well-known football agent representing Barcelona’s recent recruit Vitor Roque, has divulged a substantial offer presented to the Catalan club by Manchester City in 2020. Cury disclosed that Barcelona was confronted with a staggering bid of 200 million for their iconic player, Lionel Messi, a year before his eventual departure.
Despite the immense sum on the table, Barcelona opted to turn down the offer, only to witness Messi departing for free the following year. This article explores the details surrounding this eye-opening offer and the events that led to Messi’s departure from the Camp Nou.
The pivotal moment in the summer of 2020 when Lionel Messi dispatched the infamous burofax to Barcelona symbolized his discontent with the club’s management under then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
With Barcelona’s on-field performance also dwindling, Messi’s dissatisfaction heightened, prompting his quest for an exit from the club he had faithfully served for numerous years.
Amidst this period of uncertainty, Manchester City capitalized on the opportunity and tabled an extraordinary offer of up to â¬200 million to secure Lionel Messi’s services. Recognizing the potential availability of Messi, the English club aimed to capitalize on the situation, as revealed by Andre Cury. The offer was made despite Messi having a year remaining on his contract with Barcelona, underscoring City’s eagerness to secure his signature.
Barcelona made a bold stance by declining Manchester City’s enticing bid, emphasizing their resolve to retain their star player and trust that Messi would uphold his contractual commitments, despite swirling rumors about his future. The rejection of the offer highlighted the club’s loyalty and dedication to their legendary player.
After the 2020-2021 season marked Lionel Messi’s farewell from Barcelona due to the club’s inability to extend his contract amidst financial constraints and complexities, the Argentine superstar embarked on a new chapter with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His successful tenure with PSG further added to his illustrious career, sparking speculations of a potential return to Barcelona upon the expiration of his contract with PSG.
Surprisingly, Lionel Messi chose to veer off the expected path by joining Major League Soccer (MLS) and signing with Inter Miami, based in the United States. This move signifies a fresh phase in Messi’s football career, reflecting his readiness to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
The revelation of Manchester City’s lucrative â¬200 million offer for Lionel Messi in 2020 injects an intriguing dimension into the narrative of his departure from Barcelona. Despite the substantial financial inducement, Barcelona opted to retain their prized asset, showcasing their steadfast loyalty. However, circumstances evolved, leading to Messi’s eventual exit and subsequent journey to PSG before ultimately landing in the MLS with Inter Miami. As the footballing realm continues to marvel at the greatness of the “GOAT,” Lionel Messi’s imprint on the history of the sport remains indelible.
