Italian super agent Enzo Bronzetti has revealed Inter Milan almost signed Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Inter president Massimo Moratti has long been a fan of the Argentine superstar and wanted to bring him to Serie A, but few realise just how close he got to that wish.
"Many years ago, Moratti was enamoured with Messi," Bronzetti told Radio Kiss Kiss.
"I was at Messi's home with his father and Lionel was only 17. There was a defect in the contract: he had to move from a youth deal to that of a professional, but had already played for the first team.
"Moratti told me to go and get him. Lionel and his father had an appointment with Barcelona that afternoon to hear their offer.
"I can guarantee to you that Moratti spoke to Messi and his father on the phone. Inter offered 1m more than Barca. However, he signed for the Spaniards because he felt that he owed the club a great deal.
"Barcelona had brought in very expensive medicine from Switzerland to help with his growth hormone deficiency.
"Leo told me that he had signed because of what his heart told him. I shook his hand and complimented the lad, as he showed me there are still players who hold those human values dear."
Click here for the No1 coverage of all the gossip and transfer news around Inter Milan.