Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal made an attempt to sign Lionel Messi as a Barcelona youth teamer.

Wenger discussed the move when asked about Arsenal's failed attempt for current Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

When asked on beIN SPORTS if Arsenal were very close to signing Ronaldo before he joined Manchester United, Wenger simply replied: “True."

This was followed up with a question about speculation that Arsenal also nearly signed Messi in 2003 when the club secured a deal for Cesc Fabregas.

But the suggestion Arsenal nearly signed Messi from Barca was quickly quashed by Wenger.

“No," he said. “We tried, we did.

“We were not near to signing Messi. But we did try and sign [Gerard] Pique, Fabergas, and of course Messi was already too big at the time.

“Don't forget that in 2006, when we played the Champions League final against Barcelona, Messi couldn't play because he was injured.

“He's today 32, and that was 13 years ago and he was already a regular player in the first team.

“What these guys have done is unbelievable."