Barcelona wanted to try and sign Marco Verratti from PSG in the past, Lionel Messi has claimed, hailing his new teammate as a phenomenon.
Speaking after his unveiling as a Paris Saint-Germain player, as quoted by Goal.com, superstar Lionel Messi has made a stunning revelation that his former club Barcelona were interested in signing new teammate Marco Verratti.
Messi completed his shock transfer to PSG after it was confirmed that Barcelona were in no position to renew his contract. The move brought an end to a glittering career at Camp Nou during which the Argentine international established himself as one of the greatest ever to have played the game of football.
Now embarking on a new journey at a new club, Messi opened up on his new teammates, with Marco Verratti among those the 34-year-old praised profusely. During this, the little magician from Argentina, who won the Copa America earlier this summer, also revealed that Barcelona had wanted to sign Verratti in the past.
“Marco Verratti has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position. He is a phenomenon. He was wanted in Barcelona, but now it is the reverse and it is me coming to him in Paris. Not only Marco, but the dressing room is full of the best players in the world,” Messi said.
? Lionel Messi: “Marco Verratti has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position. He is a phenomenon."#PSGxMESSI https://t.co/RXclKJMoE8 pic.twitter.com/CDYtzePje7
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 11, 2021
Verratti has been with PSG for nine years now, having joined from Italian outfit Pescara back in 2012. During his time at the Parc des Princes, the midfielder has grown into one of the best in his position.
To date, Verratti has racked up 346 appearances for the French capital outfit, scoring nine goals while winning a mind-boggling 27 trophies in the process, which include seven Ligue 1 titles. The 28-year-old was also an integral part of the Italy team that went on to lift the UEFA Euro 2020 earlier this summer.
Given his exploits, it should not come as a surprise that a club of Barcelona’s stature have had an interest in Verratti. However, while they may have wanted to sign him in the past, a move for him in the near future looks extremely unlikely. The 28-year-old is tied down to a contract with PSG till 2024 while the Catalans are mired in financial struggles.
