The esteemed player who is associated with AC Milan, Paolo Maldini, made an announcement that shocked the whole soccer community. The former player who was the technical director of AC Milan revealed a fascinating plan to sign Lionel Messi for the Rossoneri in 2021.
“We tried to bring Messi to Milan for 10 days, but then we realized it was impossible,” Maldini sadly confessed, reflecting on the nearly missed purchase as reported by Daily Mail. He further added, “We called and we tried but it remained an idea… just because Leonardo told me PSG were ahead and already in advanced talks to sign Messi”.
🇦🇷 Former AC Milan director Paolo Maldini: “We tried to sign Messi when he was free after Barça, when he left the club in August”.
“We called and we tired but it remained an idea… just because Leonardo told me PSG were ahead and already in advanced talks to sign Messi”. pic.twitter.com/Uzf8OmFQlI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 1, 2023
Maldini’s passionate account of the chase highlighted the enticing possibilities that could have changed AC Milan’s soccer history. He grieved the unfulfilled dream, saying, “A player like Messi is a spectacle for anyone to witness,” and laughed, “When I read that he might even go to Inter, I got scared!”
Maldini was a world-class center-back for AC Milan back in his time. He won numerous trophies with them and has an unbreakable bond with the club and its fans. Following AC Milan’s progress to the UEFA Champions League semifinals, Maldini was fired back in June 2023.
Paolo Maldini has been linked with a move to Manchester United
As Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority share to acquire sporting control of Manchester United draws closer, Paolo Maldini is the most recent name to be connected to an executive position at the team. After the Premier League approves the deal, the British billionaire is expected to finish buying a 25% stake in United and take over as head of the sporting department in the upcoming weeks.
Richard Arnold, United’s CEO, has resigned, and Patrick Stewart, the club’s legal counsel, has taken on an acting CEO role. Also, rumor has it that former Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus executive Jean-Claude Blanc is the front-runner to take over Arnold’s position permanently in the upcoming season.
Why AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has been tipped to become Manchester United sporting director #mufc https://t.co/Pyg6RGpyk2 pic.twitter.com/QfhjkfNbJX
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) November 29, 2023
Mikael Silvestre thinks Paolo Maldini is the ideal candidate for Manchester United’s director of soccer role next season. “Paolo Maldini has the experience and the knowledge to be good in this role,” Silvestre told bettingexpert.com. “He could be a potential sporting director for Man United, because of his career and his connections and knowledge on the international level.”
It remains to be seen what happens next with Maldini and Manchester United in the next season. Also, United is looking at different candidates for the Director of Soccer role too, the final decision on this matter will be taken before the start of the 2024-25 season.