The Atletico Madrid manager he asked Lionel Messi’s former teammate Luis Suarez if the Argentine would consider moving to the club. In August, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona.
The Argentine tactician said he wasn’t directly in contact with his compatriot’s camp but instead delegated that task to Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. Nonetheless, Simeone reveals that PSG were far ahead of Atletico Madrid in the negotiations.
“I didn’t call Leo, but I did call Luis, to ask him how Messi was doing, whether he fancied it, and whether there was the slightest chance of him coming to Atlético.
“It was something that lasted three hours because PSG already had their hearts set on signing him.
“So the chance to work with Messi has never come up.
Simeone said in an interview to Ole.
Simeone further revealed that the momentary courting of Messi was based on the fact that his team would have provided the Argentine with a chance to compete for major titles. Atletico beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the Spanish domestic title last season but failed to progress past the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.
Messi eventually left Barcelona to sign for PSG in the midst of the former’s financial troubles. The club had to reluctantly let go of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to fit LaLiga’s strict wage cap.
Unlike Suarez, who departed Barcelona in acrimonious circumstances before the start of the 2020/21 season, Messi hasn’t been able to hit the ground running at his new club. The forward has scored just one goal in four appearances so far – a belter against Manchester City in the Champions League – and is yet to register an assist.
