Former Inter President Massimo Moratti admits he would’ve ‘done everything to bring Lionel Messi’ to San Siro, but acknowledges ‘times have changed.’
Famously, Moratti had attempted to sign Messi when he was still a very young player, but the love of Barcelona prompted him to remain.
The idea was to stay for life, but that plan was ruined by the announcement Barca’s financial problems are so bad that they cannot afford to register Messi’s contract, even with a 50 per cent pay cut.
“In my day, if the opportunity to get Messi had arisen, I would’ve done everything to bring him to Inter,” Moratti told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“However, times have changed.”
Now the only clubs who can afford his salary, even as a free agent, are Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea.
It is widely reported PSG are in advanced talks with the Argentina international, proposing a huge wage package and the reunion with his former Barcelona teammate Neymar.
In fact, Inter are on the verge of selling Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea for circa €130m, infuriating the Nerazzurri supporters just weeks after winning the Serie A title.
“I hope the team can remain competitive anyway. I don’t know Inter’s economic situation, so I cannot comment, but things were already bad in football before COVID made everything worse.
“The whole football system needs to be revised.”
Everything? Score a penalty then.