'We came really close to signing Messi' - Getafe president makes transfer claim
Oct 19, 2021
Angel Torres also suggested that he talk to former Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain about hiring Pep Guardiola as head coach
Angel Torres, president of Getafe, said the club was about to sign a contract with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and reached an oral agreement to appoint Guardiola as manager.
Torres has a close relationship with Barcelona's former president Joan Laporta and hopes to attract two world-renowned people in this club.
Messi was only 17 years old when he first entered the Barcelona first team in 2004. Torres revealed that shortly after, he hopes that the Argentine will gain some valuable senior experience in his Madrid branch.
"In the first or second year of Messi (first team), we were really close to lending him to Getafe," Torres told Marca.
"In the end, [the then manager Frank] Rijkaard did not agree with this, we only have our wishes."
Despite the disappointment, Torres came to Barcelona again in the summer of 2008, this time Guardiola.
Torres has identified the Manchester City boss as a potential successor to Michael Laudrup, who is expected to replace Rijkaard at Camp Nou.
After Getafe's outstanding debut, the former Danish international was in high demand and brought the club to the Thor Cup final and the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
"One day, [Barcelona Sports Director] Txiki [Begiristain] participated in a European lottery in Switzerland. At the time, the idea was that Laudrup would go to Barcelona, and we used Guardiola as a substitute because first, La Porta did not convince him None, "Torres said.
Despite all the speculations, Laudrup ’s proposal to relocate to Camp Nou never materialized, and Guardiola eventually held the highest position, which made Getafe wonder what would happen.
It turns out that this is an instructive choice for Barca's hierarchy. The club continues to enjoy a glorious golden period under Guardiola, and Messi's goal is the key to success.
Under his leadership, the Catalan giants have won 14 major trophies, including three consecutive La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies between 2008 and 2012.
At the same time, Messi spent his entire career in Barcelona, scoring 627 goals in 718 games and winning 34 trophies for the club.
Angel Torres, president of Getafe, said the club was about to sign a contract with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and reached an oral agreement to appoint Guardiola as manager.
Torres has a close relationship with Barcelona's former president Joan Laporta and hopes to attract two world-renowned people in this club.
Messi was only 17 years old when he first entered the Barcelona first team in 2004. Torres revealed that shortly after, he hopes that the Argentine will gain some valuable senior experience in his Madrid branch.
"In the first or second year of Messi (first team), we were really close to lending him to Getafe," Torres told Marca.
"In the end, [the then manager Frank] Rijkaard did not agree with this, we only have our wishes."
Despite the disappointment, Torres came to Barcelona again in the summer of 2008, this time Guardiola.
Torres has identified the Manchester City boss as a potential successor to Michael Laudrup, who is expected to replace Rijkaard at Camp Nou.
After Getafe's outstanding debut, the former Danish international was in high demand and brought the club to the Thor Cup final and the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
"One day, [Barcelona Sports Director] Txiki [Begiristain] participated in a European lottery in Switzerland. At the time, the idea was that Laudrup would go to Barcelona, and we used Guardiola as a substitute because first, La Porta did not convince him None, "Torres said.
Despite all the speculations, Laudrup ’s proposal to relocate to Camp Nou never materialized, and Guardiola eventually held the highest position, which made Getafe wonder what would happen.
It turns out that this is an instructive choice for Barca's hierarchy. The club continues to enjoy a glorious golden period under Guardiola, and Messi's goal is the key to success.
Under his leadership, the Catalan giants have won 14 major trophies, including three consecutive La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies between 2008 and 2012.
At the same time, Messi spent his entire career in Barcelona, scoring 627 goals in 718 games and winning 34 trophies for the club.
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