The Secret Negotiations:
Author Luca Caioli, in his biography “Messi: More Than a Superstar,” recently conducted interviews with key figures in Lionel Messi’s early career. Two notable individuals, Horacio Gaggioli and former Barcelona coach Charly Rexach, shed light on the remarkable negotiations that took place before Messi’s historic move to Barcelona.
The Barcelona Reluctance:
In the year 2000, Barcelona initially hesitated to sign Messi due to concerns about his hormonal issues as a young player. This hesitation opened the door to a shocking possibility: Lionel Messi could have been a Real Madrid player instead.
The Turning Point:
Gaggioli, one of Messi’s representatives at the time, vividly recalls a crucial moment in negotiations with Rexach. He told Rexach, “Charly, we’ve got this far. Either you play him or the boy goes elsewhere.” Gaggioli wasn’t bluffing; he revealed that negotiations had already commenced with Real Madrid.
The ‘Paper Napkin’ Agreement:
Faced with the genuine prospect of losing a prodigious talent, Barcelona had to act swiftly. The famous ‘Paper Napkin’ agreement came into existence. Gaggioli recounts, “They didn’t trust me; they didn’t trust Barcelona. They wanted a written agreement or that was the end of the negotiations.” In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a paper napkin and drafted an agreement, promising to sign Messi if certain conditions were met.
The Final Contract:
Despite the informal beginning, there were more complex issues to resolve. Messi’s family had relocated to Barcelona, leaving behind their jobs and home in Argentina. As expected, they sought assurances. On January 8, 2001, an official contract was eventually signed at Via Veneto, a restaurant in Barcelona. This significant agreement included a sum of 7 million pesetas (approximately £40,000) for Messi’s father.
A Journey Like No Other:
With both parties finally content, Lionel Andres Messi arrived in Barcelona on February 15, 2001, leaving his hometown of Rosario behind. From that day onward, Messi’s path was set, and he went on to become one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen, etching his name indelibly in the history of Barcelona.
The near-miss with Real Madrid is a fascinating “what if” moment in Lionel Messi’s legendary career. While the ‘Paper Napkin’ agreement may have been born out of desperation, it set the stage for a remarkable journey that would forever link Messi with Barcelona. The football world can only wonder how different things might have been if Messi had taken a different path, but one thing is clear: Messi’s legacy at Barcelona remains an unforgettable chapter in the beautiful game’s history.
