In 2014, Lionel Messi came very close to joining Chelsea, with the club prepared to activate the £211 million buyout clause in his Barcelona contract.
A long-term deal worth £50 million per year had been lined up for Messi, and Chelsea was even prepared to resolve his issues with the Spanish tax authorities.
José Mourinho, Chelsea’s manager at the time, was eagerly awaiting the completion of the transfer.
However, the move ultimately fell through due to the intervention of Messi’s father.
Despite all the terms of the personal contract being agreed upon, Messi’s father opposed the transfer once he discovered his son was in talks with Chelsea, halting what could have been one of the most significant moves in football history.
This insight comes from a former Chelsea technical director, reflecting on the collapse of Messi’s potential move to the London club.
