The football world was almost shaken to its core by a colossal transfer plot involving Lionel Messi. Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has sensationally revealed that a mystery club, backed by state-level resources, was prepared to trigger Messi's €400 million release clause back in 2017. This bombshell revelation sheds new light on one of the most anxious periods in recent Catalan history.
The Shocking Truth: What You Need To Know
- Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed a €400 million bid for Lionel Messi in 2017.
- The monumental offer came just weeks after Neymar's €222 million move to PSG.
- The mystery suitor was a state-backed entity, not Manchester City.
- Barcelona dramatically increased Messi's release clause to €700 million to secure his future.
The Unthinkable: A €400 Million Mega-Bid for Messi
In a candid interview, Bartomeu detailed the club's panic after Neymar departed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The Camp Nou hierarchy quickly learned of a staggering financial operation to poach their greatest ever player. Rumours swiftly escalated into concrete intelligence, indicating a club was assembling the funds to meet Messi's eye-watering €400 million release clause.
This sum would have dwarfed Neymar's then-record €222 million transfer fee, fundamentally reshaping the global transfer market. The sheer scale of the proposed deal sent shockwaves through Barcelona's executive offices, forcing them into immediate damage control.
The Mystery Suitor: Not Manchester City, But Who?
While Manchester City has often been linked with Messi due to his connection with Pep Guardiola, Bartomeu explicitly ruled out the English champions as the aggressors in this specific scenario. Instead, he painted a picture of a state-funded powerhouse, hinting at Middle Eastern connections.
“Funds from an Arab country were transferred to accounts in Europe,” Bartomeu disclosed. Despite not naming the club, he emphasized its immense financial power, stating, “There are very few clubs in England, or state-owned clubs, that can afford such sums.” This leaves elite clubs like Chelsea, PSG, or perhaps even a direct bid from a Middle Eastern entity, as the prime suspects.
Barca's Desperate Play: Securing Their Icon's Future
The looming threat of losing Messi galvanized Barcelona into swift, decisive action. Bartomeu recounted the internal urgency to restructure Messi's contract, ensuring the Argentine magician remained in Catalonia. The subsequent agreement was one of the most lucrative in football history, designed to deter any further audacious bids.
“What we did was talk to Lionel Messi and his father and discuss the matter: we had to raise the release clause,” Bartomeu explained. The clause was hiked from €400 million to an almost unassailable €700 million. This defensive maneuver, however, came at a significant financial cost, contributing to the budgetary pressures that would ultimately lead to Messi's emotional departure in 2021. It's a stark reminder of the lengths clubs will go to protect their crown jewels.
