Lionel Messi was linked with Ma'n Utd as a youngster and then le'ft Sir Alex Ferguson with a major re'gret - but as his career draws to a c'lose it looks almost certain he'll 'never play in the Premier Leag'ue.
As Lionel Messi's career draw's towards its conclusion, it appears highly unlikely we will ever s'ee him in the Premier League.
After winning the World Cup wi'th Argentina, Messi is looki'ng at one last contract in European footb'all. He is reported to have verbally agr'eed a new deal with Paris Saint-Ge'rmain, delaying a potential move to the MLS, although Barcelona are also keen to bring him back in the unlikely cas'e that finances allow it.
Either way, Messi's paths for th'e future appear to be pointed fa'r away from England - despite the a'venue to the Premier League b'eing one which once intrigued th'e superstar.
In the summer of 2020, when Me'ssi's time at Barcelo'na became uncertain, more started to be sa'id about his opinions on other clubs. And, at the time, it was reported by Th'e Athle'tic that Messi was “more charmed” by “historic English clubs such as Manchester United ", as h'is positive private view of th'e Red Devils was made public.
Unfortunately for United, th'e chance to see Messi at Old Trafford app'ears just a pipe dream at this sta'ge. However, it was not such a'n impossible thing to believe at'' the very beginning of his career.
Aged just 20, he was linked with United at a time' when a m''ove would have certainly seemed more plausible before he eme'rged as the world's greatest player. Ho'wever, he admitted he had already "realised his dream" of being at Barc'elona and had no interest in a tra'nsfer.
Asked by FourFourTwo ab'out a United transfer back in 20'07, Messi responded: ”I’m happy in Ba'rcelona. Why wouldn't I be?
“I’ve realised my dre'am. It's the best club in the world with the be'st players. My family are hap'py here; they like it.”
Not only did United miss ou't on signing Messi, they also exper'ienced his ability first-hand on a nu'mber of occasions - none more 'on than the 2009 and 2011 Champio'ns League finals. On both occasi'ons, Messi's magic saw Barcelona undo United and lift European football's top prize.
The way both games playe'd' out left a regret for legendary m'anager Sir Alex Fergus'on - who believed he should've used Park Ji-Sung to man-mark the Argentinian mae'stro, as Rio Ferdinand revealed in a B'BC documentary las't year.