Javier Zanetti Reveals Discussing Inter Milan Possibility With Lionel Messi After Barcelona Exit

Lionel Messi could have been playing at the San Siro if Inter Milan vice president Javier Zanetti had his way. The club chief joined Monday’s “Supertele” on DAZN, where he discussed the inquiries the team made about the 35-year-old after his FC Barcelona departure.

Zanetti leaned on his close relationship when it was a reality that Messi would actually leave the Spanish club. While he would have likely loved to see his countryman join the Serie A side, Zanetti noted one major hurdle.

“We spoke to Messi because of the relationship we have when there was this possibility that he would leave Barcelona,” Zanetti said (h/t Calcio Mercato). “I would never have imagined his farewell to Barcelona. But we cannot realistically compete, from an economic point of view, with teams like City or Paris Saint Germain.”

After Messi left the Camp Nou with tears in his eyes, the veteran would eventually join Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal. Unfortunately, Year 1 in the French capital didn’t go as planned, with the former Barcelona star struggling.

However, in Year 2, the Argentine has shown he can still play at a high level, resulting in another season with 10-plus goals and 10-plus assists. Additionally, Messi used his excellent start to his second season in Paris to catapult him to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.