Trofeo Gamper’s brilliant performance from the teenager at the time convinced Barca to bounce back on a temporary deal struck by their city’s rivals
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he came close to taking Lionel Messi under his wing at Espanyol – while he remained silent about rumors linking his Argentine ally with Paris Saint-Germain.
It is reported that the Ligue 1 champions are among the main candidates for landing Messi if he decides to leave Barcelona at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Messi has either refused to confirm or deny his departure after last summer’s move saga, while presidential candidate Joan Laporta hopes the couple’s history will help from his resignation. previously at Camp Nou to believe he would extend a stay at the club he joined at the age of 13.
Pochettino is willing to go on as saying he is interested in a move, but he recalled that if it weren’t for a pre-season scintillating performance from Messi back when he was a teenager the pair might have been to work together at none other than Barca’s rivals.
“Messi to PSG? No idea. When I was at Espanyol or Southampton, my dream was to have the best players at the club and Messi came close to being loaned out to Espanyol,” the former Tottenham boss explained to him El Larguero.
“The deal was very positive but it delivered a great performance at Trofeo Gamper before the season and that was the end of it.
“We’ve met over the years in places like London or Italy. We both share their love for Newell, because we both came through their academy and that’s our common bond.
“I’m aware of what’s going on [with Messi]. I’ve been watching everyone from West Ham to Valladolid and these days you have to keep your eyes on every team.
“I don’t really want to talk about Messi because then everything is taken out of proportion.”
The future of Kylian Mbappe may be a quicker concern at Parc des Princes.
The French striker has yet to promise to extend his contract, which expires in June 2022, with a move to Real Madrid again suggested by the media.
“The club is working to keep the best and has a great future ahead of it,” Pochettino said of his accusation.
“Which coach wouldn’t want to work with Mbappe?
“[Mbappe and Neymar] both have welcomed me and are open to a new football suggestion and I can only thank them for the warm welcome. ”