Ex-Manchester City CEO reveals story of failed, delayed bid for Lionel Messi in 2008

One of very few criticisms thrown at football superstar Lionel Messi is fact that Argentinian is untested outside Spain. While playing for Argentina national team, Messi has tasted little success. However, things could have been a lot different for both Argentina legend and Premier League, according to Athletic's Daniel Taylor. 

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Manchester City registered bizarre Lionel Messi bid in 2008

Former Manchester City CEO Garry Cook recently admitted to  Athletic that club had submitted a whopping £70 million bid for Lionel Messi in 2008, albeit by accident. That year was a time of upheaval for Manchester City, thanks to former owner and Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra's financial problems. Things could have been a lot different for Premier League today had Cook and City put in a bid for Messi a few weeks earlier. 

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"Pairoj (Piempongsant), you got to tell me what we’re doing, it’s getting out of control.’ Pairoj was lying on a chaise lounge and shouting: ‘Yes, yes, yes! Very messy, messy, it’s getting messy.’ Something got lost in translation and that was misheard as ‘we’ve got to get Messi’. I said: ‘Put offer in, let’s see what we come up with.’ n Dave Richards called me next day from Premier League. ‘Garry, have you put in an offer for Lionel Messi? Seventy million pounds? Are you mad?’ He said he’d had a call from Barcelona and y wanted to kw if it was real. y were saying to Dave that, if it was real, y might have done a deal a few weeks earlier.” - Garry Cook to Athletic

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bizarre Lionel Messi deal apart, Manchester City did make some shrewd signings with Garry Cook at  helm. Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Yaya Toure made his way to blue half of Manchester, while likes of club legends Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero were also signed by club. se were signings that ultimately paved way for Manchester City to assert ir dominance in Premier League in last couple of years. While things may t have gone ir way in Premier League this season, Manchester City are still in mix for Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Of se, Manchester City have drawn arguably most high-profile opponents in Champions League - Real Madrid. 2019-20 Champions League Round of 16 fixtures will see Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane face off against each or for first time in ir manrial careers. 

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