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Massimo Moratti has revealed unknown details from Inter's sensational attempt to transfer Lionel Messi from Barcelona, at a time when the Argentine was just beginning to explode in European football.
The former president of the Bianconeri understood that the relationship between Messi and Barcelona was not at its best, as at that time there were disagreements over the renewal of the contract. The Argentine striker earned around 3 million euros per season, significantly less than Ronaldinho, while his father, Jorge Messi, was demanding a better contract.
Seeing this situation, Moratti decided to act. At the end of 2006, he held a meeting in Milan with Jorge Messi, with the aim of convincing the Argentine star to transfer to "San Siro". Inter were even ready to make a record offer of 250 million euros, an unprecedented figure for the time.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta later confirmed this episode.
" Inter offered 250 million euros, but I said 'no' ," Laporta confessed, making it clear that Barcelona had no intention of giving up on the player who would later become the club's symbol.
According to Italian media at the time, Morati was also motivated by the fact that Messi did not feel fully appreciated at Barcelona. The meeting with the footballer's father took place during a publicity event, while Diego Armando Maradona had also advised Inter to try to transfer the Argentine.
Moratti described the attempt as "sober madness", admitting that he was willing to undertake a historic operation to bring Messi to Milan.
In a 2020 interview, the former Inter number one recalled the beginnings of his interest in the Argentine champion.
" We started following him since the U-18 World Cup. We sent our people to Spain, but they came back and explained to me the difficulties Messi had gone through with his health, as well as Barcelona's commitment to helping him and keeping him at the club. Then I told them: 'Leave him alone'. I swear ," Morati recalled.
Five years later, he revealed another interesting detail about his relationship with the Argentine star.
" Journalists always asked me about Ronaldinho, and I told them I liked Messi better. He found out about it and got in touch with us, but he had grown up and formed at Barcelona. For a few years he sent me his autographed shirt ."
Even Lionel Messi himself, in 2007, spoke fondly of Inter, praising the black-and-blue team and the presence of many Argentine footballers in the squad.
" I've always liked Inter. They play a lot of Argentines. They defend well and have a very strong attack with Ibrahimovic, Adriano, Crespo, Cruz and Rekoba ," Messi declared.
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