ROBINHO’S potential Barcelona move in 2005 fell apart… because of Lionel Messi.
The Brazilian had been tearing it up for Santos as a teenager and was ready to make the move to Europe.
Real Madrid unveiled Robinho in 2005Credit: EPA
Lionel Messi had already broken o nto the scene as a teenagerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A number of top clubs circled, with Robinho himself reportedly favouring Barcelona.
But the Catalan giants opted not to make a move – because of an 18-year-old homegrown player that they had high hopes for.
That wide-eyed teenager was Lionel Messi.
Speaking shortly after, club president Joan Laporta told El Mundo: “Robinho wanted to come to Barcelona, but we have a [player called] Messi and we have high hopes for him.
“We were never interested in the Brazilian.
“[Messi] is just 18 years old and controls the ball like nobody else.
“He has the style of [Diego] Maradona and [Johan Cruyff] and can become a world star, that’s why I prefer Messi.”
The Argentine has gone on to to score 658 goals and counting for Barca, while winning ten LaLigas, six Copa del Reys, four Champions Leagues and six Ballons d’Or.
Lionel Messi’s future has been the subject of intense speculationCredit: Alamy Live News
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Robinho, meanwhile, bagged 35 goals in 137 games before being shipped off to newly-monied Man City in 2008.
Having shown faith in Messi in 2005, Laporta will now hope to be the key to keeping the 33-year-old in 2021.
The future of Barca’s No10 has hung over their season since he tried to depart in August.
But with Laporta having now been elected to the post that he previously held between 2003 and 2010, fans will be praying that he can convince Messi that Barcelona is the place to be next season and beyond.
Amid champagne celebrations, he said: “Seeing Lionel Messi coming to vote today, seeing him taking part, that is very telling.
“Twenty years ago [he] made his debut with Barca’s youth team. Seeing the best player in the world come out to vote today is a clear sign of what we keep saying. Leo loves Barca.
Will I convince Leo to stay? It will depend on him, I will do what I can
Joan Laporta
“The best player in the world loves Barca and I hope that is a sign that he will stay at Barcelona, which is what we all want.”
He added on RAC1: “I will be calling Lionel Messi.
“Will I convince Leo to stay? It will depend on him, I will do what I can, within the economic possibilities of the club, to make him stay at Barca.”
Joan Laporta has returned as president after 11 yearsCredit: AFP or licensors
Messi is Barca’s top scorer this season
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
