Maldini Reflects on Missed Opportunity: AC Milan’s Attempt to Secure Messi in 2021

Former AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has opened up about the club’s ambitious pursuit of Lionel Messi in 2021, revealing the behind-the-scenes efforts to bring the Argentine superstar to Milan. Speaking on PoretCast, Maldini shared the challenges faced during the ten-day endeavor, ultimately realizing the impossibility of the transfer.

“It is too late now, but a player like Messi is a spectacle for anyone to witness. When I read that he might even go to Inter, I got scared!” Maldini exclaimed, highlighting the awe-inspiring impact Messi could have had in Serie A.

The conversation delves into the circumstances of 2021 when Messi, forced to leave Barcelona, embarked on the quest for a new club. Despite AC Milan’s best efforts, Messi eventually signed with Paris Saint-Germain, as other interested parties found it financially unattainable.

Maldini expressed his lament at missing out on the opportunity to witness Messi in AC Milan colors, envisioning the synergies between the Argentine maestro and Milan’s traditional and historic club ethos. As Stefano Pioli’s side reached the Champions League semifinals last season, Maldini wonders about the potential heights they could have scaled with Messi as a pivotal force in their lineup.