Lionel Messi Was ‘Very, Very Close’ To Joining Arsenal, Says Former Scout

Lionel Messi’s storied career could have gone a different path if Arsenal’s former scout Francis Cagigao was able to seal a once-in-a-generation deal with the revered football star.

Known for his keen eye for talent, Cagigao revealed that there was a long list of notable names on his desk that he could have recruited during his stint with the Gunners.

“Messi, [Gerard] Piqué, [Juan] Mata were very, very close and there were others. With Messi, work permit issues ensured we couldn’t get as close as we would have liked,” Cagigao told the Guardian.

At that time, Messi was only a 15-year-old skipper who showed great potential on the football field. The efforts to bring him to Arsenal did not push through as he eventually joined Barcelona where he spent nearly the past two decades as the organization’s top star.

Ever since suiting up for Barca’s first team in 2005, the Argentine has appeared across 735 games and is the club’s top scorer with 635 goals.

“And that’s all I can say on that. A lot get away – two, three, four a year – but I prefer to look at the ones we did get,” Cagigao continued.

Although Cagigao was unable to finalize the arrangements for the football icon, he was still able to bring a reputable roster of athletes to Arsenal.

The club benefited from his recruitment services, discovering the likes of Robin van Persie, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Tierney and Cesc Fabregas.

Even though Messi didn’t end up donning the prominent red-and-white jersey in Highbury, Cagigao ensured that Arsenal had the right players that fit into the club's system.

“One of the reasons I was there so long, that I didn’t leave when I could, was that relationship. And Steve Rowley, who was brilliant. I always felt I was at a club that valued me. I was working with people who would listen – and Arsène is an exceptional listener," he stated.

"My biggest success is working with talented and loyal people at a club that kept those values for years, like Pat Rice, David Dein, Ken Friar, David Miles, Vic Akers, so many top scouts, and many others."

While Messi remains as one of the top-rated players in the sport today, Arsenal continues to be a perennial contender in the English Premier League. At the moment, they occupy the 5th spot in the standings with three wins and two losses.