Lionel Messi came close to joining Inter in December 2006. Massimo Moratti tried to take advantage of the contract tensions between the Argentine and Barcelona, going so far as to make an offer of 250 million euros, a figure that at the time would have been unprecedented. The attempt, confirmed by both the former Nerazzurri president and Laporta, then the Blaugrana boss, was unsuccessful due to the refusal of the Catalan club.
According to the reconstruction by Gazzetta dello Sport, Messi was earning three million a year, half of what Ronaldinho made, and his father Jorge was trying to secure better conditions. Moratti, attracted by the prospect of bringing him to Milan, met the player’s father during a commercial organized by the son of Fabio Capello. Even Maradona spoke in favor of the move: “Inter must try to get him: Messi is the future.”
The former Nerazzurri president described the operation as “a lucid madness,” but decided to make a concrete attempt anyway. The 250 million offer was rejected by Laporta, who preferred to keep the Argentine talent in Catalonia.
In 2020 Moratti recounted: “We started following him at the Under-18 World Cup. Mission to Spain. My people came back and told me about his health difficulties and Barcelona’s commitment, their dedication to solving those problems. I said to let it go. I swear.” In 2025 he added further details: “There were journalists asking me what I thought of Ronaldinho, I replied that I liked Messi. He found out and got in touch with us, but he had been cared for and raised by Barcelona. For several years he sent me his signed jersey.”
Even Leo in 2007 had spoken about the Nerazzurri: “I have always liked Inter, there are many Argentinians playing there.” He always chose them on PlayStation: “They defend well and have a great attack.” At the time, the squad included Ibrahimovic, Adriano, Crespo, Cruz, Recoba.
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