Former Atalanta defender Cristian Romero has confirmed Leo Messi wanted him to join Barcelona.

Neither will play at the Nou Camp as Romero has joined Tottenham while Messi left the Catalans for PSG.

There had been reports Barcelona wanted to sign Romero from Atalanta before Tottenham had a €55m bid accepted by the Serie A side.

“It’s impressive to think that Messi wanted me to join Barcelona and become his teammate,” Romero told Radio AM 550.

“It’s crazy the team they put together at PSG. I’m a little sad about how Leo left Barcelona, I thought he would have stayed at Barcelona forever.

“I wish him the best, he is an excellent person and hopefully, we’ll win everything along with the other Argentineans who are there.”

Romero won the Copa America with the Albiceleste earlier this summer before joining Tottenham from Atalanta.

The 23-year-old, a former Genoa, Atalanta and Juventus defender, had joined La Dea on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for €16m from the Old Lady just one year ago.

He spent only one season in Bergamo, but that was enough to be named best Serie A defender in 2020-21.

He has now joined Tottenham for €55m, reuniting with former Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

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