\n
L<\/span>Ionel Messi has always been one of the most sought-after players by European clubs, but at the same time everyone knew that it would be almost impossible to sign him. The Argentine striker has spent 21 years at Barcelona since arriving as a child, and only PSG could change his mind in 2021. However, the fact that Messi did not change clubs does not mean that he was not tempted, and a former Manchester City assistant coach recently made an interesting revelation.<\/p>\nMark Bowen, Manchester City’s assistant coach in 2008, revealed in an interview that there was a small chance of Messi joining the England squad, but it was all a simple coincidence and misunderstanding. In the end, the Argentine didn’t change clubs, but it doesn’t seem like he was that crazy.<\/p>\n
\n
\nMexico renovates Estadio Banorte to host 2026 World Cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLionel Messi was ‘approached’ by Manchester City in 2008<\/h2>\n In an interview on the Business of Sport podcast, Mark Bowen, Mark Hughes’ former assistant, explained that City had made several offers in Europe in 2008 and was hoping one of them would materialize.<\/p>\n
“As deadline day approached, Gary Cook (sporting director) told Mark Hughes that the owners wanted to do something. At one point we had to offer $30 million to the players: 30 million for Berbatov, 30 for Robinho, 30 for Ribery. They were just making bids to clubs all over Europe and seeing which one would bite,” the former assistant explained.<\/p>\n
The situation escalated further, with rumors of an offer for Messi reaching Barcelona. “It turns out that Robinho has come. But while all this was happening, at an event in London the Barcelona president announced that Manchester City had apparently offered Messi 30 million!” Bowen added.<\/p>\n
He thought: Someone had made an offer to Messi. The president immediately sent a letter saying, “Who the hell do you think you are? Please resign!” I remembered my former assistant.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi reaches his lowest market value in 20 years<\/h2>\n While Messi’s value was very high in 2008 and has increased over the years, the Argentine now lives in the opposite reality. The forward continues to break records and win championships, but his market value varies.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi has suffered the worst decline in market value in 20 years, according to recent data from Transfermarkt.<\/p>\n
Messi reached the same figure of 15 million euros in January 2006, when he was just beginning to shine at Barcelona. These numbers are understandable considering his age and stage of his career, but the Argentine is not too concerned about this and remains focused on Inter Miami and the upcoming World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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