Lionel Messi wanted me to come to Barcelona, says Cristian Romero

Argentina international Cristian Romero says that Lionel Messi wanted him to join Barcelona before the GOAT departed the Camp Nou this summer.

There were a few whispers that Barcelona were keen on the 23-year-old, but the defender ended up signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

Romero has now spoken about the rumors and says Messi was keen for him to swap Atalanta and head to the Camp Nou.

“The fact that Messi would want me in his team, and that he wanted me to come to Barcelona is amazing,” he said.

“The team that PSG have built is crazy. I’m a bit sad about how Leo left Barcelona, I thought he would have stayed there forever.

“I wish him all the best, he’s a great person and hopefully he can win everything alongside the other Argentinians there.”

Source | Radio AM 550

Romero is one of a host of players that Barcelona were linked with during the summer, but the club’s financial problems made for a very difficult transfer window.

Reports also suggested that Ronald Koeman wasn’t too keen on signing Romero. The Dutchman felt he was already covered at center-back following the arrival of Eric Garcia.