Maldini lifts lid on failed Messi attempt: “For ten days, I tried”

By Isak Möller -

During the live recording of the podcast ‘Poretcast’ this evening, the guest Paolo Maldini was asked about all things AC Milan. The former player and technical director revealed he worked for ten days to sign Leo Messi.

Maldini was relieved of his duties as technical director of Milan in June this year, along with sporting director Ricky Massara. The decision came as a shock to many, but Gerry Cardinale didn’t buckle and replaced the two with Geoffrey Moncada and Antonio D’Ottavio.

During the live recording of the podcast ‘PoretCast’, Maldini shared his thoughts on all things Milan. Among other things, as cited by MilanPress, he revealed that he tried for ten days to sign the Argentine star Leo Messi.

“For ten days, I tried to bring Messi to Milan but then we realised it was impossible,” he stated.

Maldini is probably referring to the year 2021, when Messi left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. That ended up being the Scudetto season for Milan, so in the end it seems they didn’t need the superstar.

Maldini is still a free agent and it remains to be seen if he will pick up another job soon, having been linked with Manchester United among others.

Tags AC Milan Leo Messi Paolo Maldini

14 Comments

  1. It took you 10 days to realize that you can’t sign a player who made 35 mil a year, almost half of all of Milan players salary combined?

    1. But we don’t know the economics or the details of the deal. It could be that as one great to another he hoped his charm could work,.plus AC Milan on your CV is still worth something in the historical context. Also, 35m can easily be understood by all the players in the locker room for a player who’s one of the greatest of all time. Madrid sold 1 million kits when CR7 arrived and even a licensing fee of 15% pays his wages for the first year. At Turin they made more (about 60m) due to Juve direct involvement with the kit manufacturer. And that’s just shirt sales. There are more things that get impacted …sponsors, other merch, viewership, attendance, socials etc.
      But alas Messi seemingly still chose money 😂😂😂
      And in some ways I’m glad he didn’t bankrupt our team like.he did Barca

        1. What do you mean? How did I contradict myself??

          Messi’s salary was unaffordable to Barca. Yes Barca paid him alot and that team that won it all under Pep but it costed them alot to the point where their debts are almost insurmountable. Due was making 80m per season at a time when they had financial difficulties, Pique took a paycut to help…..he didn’t. He cost them close to a half a billion smh. They’re right now selling their future (rights etc) to fund their current transfers and wage bills. And thats the summarized version. They’re a disaster waiting to happen.

    2. If he was in a club with a proper president the money would show up. There are more than enough companies willing to sponsor a club with the players wages amount, just to be promoted by that player. It is basic marketing. Just watch how much Messi makes per year from sponsorships.

    3. Leo Messi phoned me this morning. He confirmed Maldini’s comments and made it clear that he refused to join Milan because Pioli offered him the chance to come in as Lord Krunic’s replacement.

      1. I rather spend 10 days trying for Messi and not get him than half a day on Taremi, Daka, Rafa Mir, Sanabria and Bristow only to get Jovic

        Same usual nonsense from him. They can’t keep it a buck for their new directors. Wonder if he’s happy with us taking more than 10 days to land Thuram?. Good thing he’s doing so well for us…..oh wait 😲…

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