Lionel Messi’s Perspective on MU and the Regret of Sir Alex Ferguson
Lionel Messi’s association with Manchester United traces back to his youthful days, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson with a lasting sense of regret for what might have been.
As Lionel Messi’s illustrious career reaches its twilight, it appears that we may never witness the 35-year-old Argentine captain, the champion of the 2022 World Cup, grace the Premier League stage. Following Argentina’s triumph in the World Cup, Messi contemplates a final contract to play in Europe. Reports suggest that he’s verbally agreed to a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as his current contract with PSG is set to conclude next summer.
While Barcelona also expressed a keen interest in bringing Messi back, he seems poised to conclude his European playing career wearing the PSG jersey. Subsequently, Messi might explore opportunities in the MLS, Middle Eastern clubs, or even return to Argentina to continue his football journey until retirement.
However, regardless of the path Messi chooses, his future seems far from the shores of England, despite the Premier League once captivating his thoughts. In the summer of 2020, as uncertainty surrounded Messi’s future at Barcelona, discussions emerged about his potential move to other clubs.
At that juncture, The Athletic reported that Messi was ‘enticed’ by ‘historic clubs in England such as Manchester United.’ Messi even openly expressed his positive sentiments about the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
Unfortunately for United, the chance to witness Messi don the red jersey at Old Trafford seems like a distant reverie at this point. Nevertheless, that wasn’t an implausible notion when Messi was a budding player.
At the age of 20, Messi was linked with MU at a time when a transfer seemed more reasonable, before he ascended to become the world’s greatest player. Yet, Messi acknowledges that he “materialized the dream” of joining Barcelona and wasn’t interested in a transfer.
When asked by FourFourTwo about the 2007 MU transfer rumors, Messi responded, “I’m happy in Barcelona. Why would I say no? I achieved my dream. It’s the best club in the world with the best players. My family is happy here; they like it here.”
MU not only missed the opportunity to sign Messi but also witnessed Messi ‘tormenting’ them in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals. On both occasions, Messi’s ‘magic’ aided Barcelona in defeating MU and securing the coveted European club championship.
Those two Champions League finals left a substantial regret for the legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who believed he should have used Park Ji-Sung to counter Messi. Another MU legend, Rio Ferdinand, disclosed this last year.
Former center-back Rio Ferdinand explained, “Sir Alex Ferguson said he should have had Park Ji-Sung marking Messi. If anyone could have done it, it was Park. But I’ve watched the game back so many times.
Perhaps Park could have slowed Messi down, and perhaps that would have been enough. But would that have thwarted a prime Lionel Messi? I highly doubt it. I don’t think anyone could have done that. Essentially, they took our soul away. Messi was the key player.”
