Mourinho was about to sign Messi for Chelsea in 2004

Imagining Leo Messi with another jersey that isn't Barcelona is a difficult exercise. The history of football could have changed in 2004, but in the end, the Argentine stayed in Barcelona.

Gianluca di Marzio, renowned Italian journalist and expert in the transfer market, revealed that Messi received an offer from Mourinho, subsequently his nemesis, to sign for Chelsea.

"I think that one of the most unknown things is the transfer of Messi to Chelsea that did not materialize. In 2004 he was very close to Chelsea because he wanted to play for Mourinho. There was a long conversation, even a video call between the two", Di Marzio said.

The journalist assured that in his book he speaks about that "phone call that was very nice". "That was the first time Messi had decided to leave Barcelona. Then a couple of months ago there was a second edition, but that was the first time and Messi was very close to joining Abramovich and Mou's Chelsea in the Premier League", he said.

That was the first time that Messi was about to leave Barcelona. The second happened in the summer, although finally the spirits calmed down and the Argentine is still in Barcelona.