22 February 2024 , 07:00
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Lionel Messi tormented Real Madrid more than most clubs during his Barcelona days.
In 47 meetings with the Spanish giants, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner found the back of the net on 26 occasions, with another 14 assists for good measure. Therefore, one would assume that anyone associated with Real Madrid would have been glad to have seen the back of Messi when he bid farewell to the Camp Nou in 2021.
However, Zinedine Zidane went public with his confession that he actually wanted Messi to remain in La Liga a year before the Argentine's eventual exit. At the time of the Frenchman's comments, Messi's future was shrouded in serious uncertainty.
Pressed for comment on what he made of the rumours regarding Messi's next move, Zindane explained: "I don't know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league."
The comments were a valuable insight into Zidane's competitive streak, with the then-Los Blancos boss always eager to test both himself and his side against the very best.
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Of course, Messi stuck around for one more year before calling time on his Barcelona stay at the end of his contract. Two years at Paris Saint-Germain followed, where there is an argument to be made that the World Cup winner actually underwhelmed.
Managing 32 goals across 75 appearances for the Ligue 1 titans, the expected PSG faithful were hoping for more from Messi. Many thought the ex-Barcelona star would be the signing to get the club over the line in their hunt for an elusive Champions League title.
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Zinedine Zidane wanted Lionel Messi to stay at Barcelona (PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)Instead, during Messi's spell with the French outfit, they were subject to disappointing Champions League elimination at the hands of none other than Real Madrid and Bayern Munich the following season. Both of those defeats came at the round of 16 stage.
Messi signed a two-year deal upon his arrival at PSG, but the contract included the option to extend for a further year. It was not activated, which is arguably the most damning indictment of his time in the French capital.
Meanwhile, Zidane didn't follow his own request for Messi and also left La Liga himself after publicly declaring that he felt those above him in the Real Madrid hierarchy had "lost faith in him." He was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, who remains at the helm to date, in what is his second spell in charge.
Nowadays, Zidane remains without a job in management, while Messi lines up for MLS outfit Inter Miami. Both are viewed as two of the greatest to ever play the game.
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