Arsenal Missed Out On Signing Lionel Messi Due To Work Permit Issues

Photo: Instagram/Lionel Messi 

Arsenal tried to sign Lionel Messi when he was still a youth player at Barcelona but failed due to work permit issues.

Francis Cagigao, a former Arsenal scout, has revealed that several meetings were held with Messi's representative, Horacio Gaggioli, but they were unable to sign him.

Cesc Fabregas was signed instead from the same Barcelona youth team.

Photo: Instagram/Lionel Messi 

Arsene Wenger was the manager of Arsenal at the time and has talked about the missed opportunity to sign Messi, who went on to become a Barcelona legend and record goalscorer.

Messi eventually left Barcelona in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain and won Ligue 1 with them last season.

The career of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could have taken a different path had Arsenal been successful in their transfer attempt.

Read Next: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr Struggles Confirmed By Teammate

Source: Mirror 

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