Manchester City have always viewed Lionel Messi as the ultimate fantasy signing. Now, years later, a former coach has revealed that the Premier League club once made a shock, and completely accidental, move for the Argentine superstar.
Mark Bowen, who served as assistant to manager Mark Hughes in 2008, explained that City accidentally sounded out Messi during the same chaotic summer that brought Robinho to the Etihad. The attempt came before Sheikh Mansour purchased the club from former owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
Man City’s deadline-day spending frenzy
Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, Bowen described a frantic final stretch of the transfer window, driven more by impulse than long-term planning.
“It was getting close to deadline day, and (CEO) Gary Cook told Mark Hughes that the owners wanted to make a statement,” Bowen said. “At one point, we were told we had to make $30 million offers for players. $30 million for Berbatov, $30 million for Robinho, $30 million for Ribery. They were just chucking out bids to clubs in Europe to see who would bite.”
In the end, Robinho arrived from Real Madrid in a headline-grabbing deal that signaled City’s new ambitions, even if the club was still years away from becoming a global powerhouse.
The Messi bid that wasn’t meant to happen
Amid that flurry of offers, City somehow went a step further, albeit by mistake.
“While all of this was going on, at an event in London, somebody, probably Gary Cook, said ‘Jesus Christ, this is getting messy,’ so somebody has literally sent an offer to Barcelona for Lionel Messi,” explained Bowen.
The reaction in Barcelona was swift and furious.
“The (Barcelona) president has come back and gone, ‘Who do you think you are? You think you can buy Lionel Messi off us? No chance. Please back away," Bowen continued. “All because somebody in the office heard, ‘we think this is messy.’”
At the time, Messi was already widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet. He had just finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, and was untouchable in Barcelona’s eyes.
A move that could have changed everything
That summer marked the beginning of City’s first major spending wave. Vincent Kompany was among the early arrivals, joining Robinho as symbols of a new era that would eventually lead to Premier League dominance and Champions League glory.
The accidental bid for Messi never stood a chance. Still, it remains one of soccer’s great what-if moments. Had Barcelona even entertained the idea, the modern history of the sport might look very different today.
kiranleo189
0
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
console urself by typing these paragraph comments
Hayabeimnu
1
Even in his prime that league is tough even when Ronaldo was there a lot of competition was their
True but he still would have demolish it,only a delusional fool would think otherwise
codbcdersu
0
he would demolish Premier league, that was in his prime
Even in his prime that league is tough even when Ronaldo was there a lot of competition was their
Hayabeimnu
2
Messi in city can’t just imagine
he would demolish Premier league, that was in his prime
Mezdkmsyz
1
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
You wrote a whole booklet with no sense Akwaa yi agyimi🤣🤣
Tenknrtz
1
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
also he made mbappe even better than he was, now mbappe is well rounded forward, earlier mbappe only ran like a rabid dog was behind him
Tenknrtz
1
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
without them he won 4 national trophies, what you're smoking
AdrianShion
1
guy when talking of fool you're the leader who are the midfielders did Madrid has before he came there and in Juve what did he archive there or you don't know what make them to sign him back to Man U he was casted away now Al Nasr go and check there player list the ans is there .
xabi Alonso is the only world class midfield when he arrive.
codbcdersu
4
Messi in city can’t just imagine
kunlexq
1
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
guy when talking of fool you're the leader who are the midfielders did Madrid has before he came there and in Juve what did he archive there or you don't know what make them to sign him back to Man U he was casted away now Al Nasr go and check there player list the ans is there .
emmydonz
1
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
bitterness will cause many people heart attack bro na sense u no get u never mad stop disgracing ur ancestors
DMICHAELSinc
0
Messi could have joined city in 2016 when they were intrested to pay messis release clause….ut Messi refused…any after 2015 barcelona never the same in UCL…and if he had left city in 2016,Barcelona could have formed a team around Neymer,and neymer could have won the Ballondor,and he will never leave Baraca,and Messi could have played for City for prime years of atleast 6-7 where he could h win trophies,UCL ballond or and break several easily breakable EPL records….oh god tjigs could uave turned out so differently… Butterfly effect is real….and ronaldo would have joined United in 2018 during his prime not in his 37th age…..
You are so Delulu. Do you think Messi can play in any club? He can not play in any club. Give him Ineista, Xavi and Busquet in the midfield, yes or players like them that will play for him to be great alone. If you want to play in Messi's team, and you want to create your own greatness, sorry is your name. He will sabotage the club, and he will be unable to play. Case in point, PSG. You guys should go and make research about your fake goat. #Fact!
DMICHAELSinc
2
He later went to PSG, cos of money and thought he was the goat 🐐, with all the stars on line up at PSG. He failed dramatically after spending years there. That to me, is the real Messi, no Ineista, Xavi, Busquet to support him and feed him to greatness. No Wonder during his semi retirement, he begged Inter Miami to give him these cast of players, which also includes Jordi Alba. Tell me, how many player from sporting followed CR7 to MAN U? or from MAN U to Madrid? from Madrid to JUVE? from JUVE back to MAN U? from MAN U to semi retirement Al Nassr? Here is the thing, he doesn't need players that his use to in his previous club to be great, cos he can adapt. But Messi style of football, make it difficult for him to adapt. Same with the Argentine national team, he world have won the world cup awhile ago, it's the chemistry of his style of football. Argentina is blessed with winners, with or without Messi. Winning the world cup is not necessary cos of Messi, of course he will play his part and the playing is style of south Americans football suit him. Messi is a one dimensional footballer and that can not be compared to a versatile goat 🐐 footballer in CR7. #Fact!
rahmsey
3
Messi, goat of all goats 🐐
Rmulbah1992
0
yea fair enough because on both occasions he was a free agent
THAT WHAT MAKE MESSI PRICELESS
Rowbiryz
1
No team paid a cent for Messi
yea fair enough because on both occasions he was a free agent
Rmulbah1992
0
he does not have a Price but PSG and inter Miami bought him lmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣
No team paid a cent for Messi
Rowbiryz
1
THE GOAT DOESN'T HAS A PRICE,HE IS PRICELESS.
he does not have a Price but PSG and inter Miami bought him lmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣
youngfarmer_10
0
Best
TheMadristasince1992
0
Delusional is that you?
😂😂😂
yeeceprtz
2
That's a good joke though.
meudelpsyz
0
Messi could have joined city in 2016 when they were intrested to pay messis release clause….ut Messi refused…any after 2015 barcelona never the same in UCL…and if he had left city in 2016,Barcelona could have formed a team around Neymer,and neymer could have won the Ballondor,and he will never leave Baraca,and Messi could have played for City for prime years of atleast 6-7 where he could h win trophies,UCL ballond or and break several easily breakable EPL records….oh god tjigs could uave turned out so differently… Butterfly effect is real….and ronaldo would have joined United in 2018 during his prime not in his 37th age…..
Delusional is that you?
Marktgboue
2
This is one thing that I always wanted for Messi to play for city
Rmulbah1992
8
THE GOAT DOESN'T HAS A PRICE,HE IS PRICELESS.
Hekcmnorz
1
Wow Messi To Man City Great 👍
habu
hudabcdeop
1
Wow Messi To Man City Great 👍
Heccdeknuz
2
Messi to Manchester City
Game-analyser
4
Messi could have joined city in 2016 when they were intrested to pay messis release clause….ut Messi refused…any after 2015 barcelona never the same in UCL…and if he had left city in 2016,Barcelona could have formed a team around Neymer,and neymer could have won the Ballondor,and he will never leave Baraca,and Messi could have played for City for prime years of atleast 6-7 where he could h win trophies,UCL ballond or and break several easily breakable EPL records….oh god tjigs could uave turned out so differently… Butterfly effect is real….and ronaldo would have joined United in 2018 during his prime not in his 37th age…..
mewabdlnou
4
Let Messi have his peace.