Lionel Messi once disclosed that there was a Premier League team Barcelona disliked even more than their arch-rivals Real Madrid—and now he’s being linked with a move to that club’s biggest competitor.
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The Argentine icon spent the majority of his illustrious career at Barcelona before making a high-profile switch to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. ..Continue Reading
He later wrapped up his European chapter by joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his current deal runs through the end of 2025.
Recently, talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein suggested that Messi could be the perfect solution to Arsenal’s attacking problems and backed him for a sensational move to North London.
Should that happen, Messi would once again face Chelsea—an opponent he’s encountered numerous times in Champions League battles.
Barcelona and Chelsea have a long history of intense matchups, including their fiery 2005 showdown.
That year, Chelsea famously defeated Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, winning 5-4 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals.
When the two sides met again the following season in the round of 16, Messi admitted that some of his Barcelona teammates harbored more animosity toward Chelsea than even Real Madrid.
“There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid. I never thought I would hear myself say that,” he told the News of the World via Sky Sports.
“I also never thought I would see something worse than the Boca and River Plate rivalry or Brazil vs Argentina. But this is.
“We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea.”
Barcelona avenged their earlier loss with a brilliant turnaround in the return leg, where Messi starred in a thrilling 2-1 victory after trailing.
Frank Rijkaard’s team carried that momentum all the way to Champions League glory, once again overturning a deficit to defeat Arsenal 2-1 in the final held in Paris.
Unfortunately, Messi was sidelined for that decisive match, having picked up an injury during their triumph at Stamford Bridge.
