How Messi was close to joining one Premier League club—but It failed at the last moment

‎Jose Mourinho reportedly came within touching distance of signing Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014, with personal terms agreed and a staggering £50 million annual salary on offer. But despite the West London club’s readiness to activate the €250 million release clause in Messi’s Barcelona contract, the transfer never materialised—blocked by a surprise revelation from a Premier League player that alerted Messi’s father and ultimately brought the negotiations to a halt.

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‎Jose Mourinho almost signed Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014 before deal collapsed over player revelation.

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‎At the time, Mourinho had just returned for his second spell at Chelsea, eager to reinforce his legacy after two Premier League title wins during his first tenure. Always one to think big, the Portuguese manager set his sights on Lionel Messi, arguably the most coveted player in world football.

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‎According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s 2014 book Grand Hotel Calciomercato, the groundwork was laid during a video call between Mourinho and Messi. The Argentine star was reportedly drawn in by Mourinho’s charisma and the vision of success at Stamford Bridge. The idea of living in London also appealed to Messi, who began seriously considering the switch.

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‎Mourinho’s persuasive approach was characteristically dramatic. “If one morning you wake up, and you're not happy, your family is not happy… then yes, you will have to open the gate of happiness again. And behind that gate, you will find me, Jose Mourinho, waiting for you,” he reportedly told Messi, blending empathy with ambition in a pitch few managers could deliver.

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‎Excitement around the club began to build. Cesc Fàbregas, newly signed from Barcelona, was thrilled at the prospect of reuniting with his former teammate in London. Chelsea were preparing an official offer, and a private lunch between Messi and Mourinho was on the cards.

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‎But then came an unexpected twist. Fàbregas, perhaps too enthusiastic, mentioned the ongoing talks to former teammate Deco—then working as an agent. Deco informed Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father and key advisor, who was completely unaware of any negotiations.

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‎Shocked, Jorge confronted his son. Messi, caught by surprise, reportedly denied any knowledge of the deal: “I don't know what you're talking about, I swear.” With trust shaken and confusion setting in, the momentum behind the transfer faded, and Messi stayed put in Barcelona.

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‎He would go on to leave the Spanish giants in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain, and later joined Inter Miami in 2023. The Chelsea saga, though never officially confirmed by the parties involved, remains one of the most intriguing near-misses in transfer history.

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‎A Messi-Mourinho alliance in the Premier League could have changed the face of English football. Instead, it exists only as a captivating chapter in football folklore—one where Chelsea came closer than anyone ever knew to signing the greatest of all time. SA

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‎Would Messi have thrived under Mourinho’s Chelsea system?