Marcelo Bielsa has claimed that Lionel Messi’s transfer move to Paris Saint-Germain was ‘totally unexpected’ for him, as he told Leeds Live.
Both Bielsa and Messi have connections to one of Argentina’s most famous clubs – Newell’s Old Boys.
Many would have expected Messi to make a fairytale return and end his career at the club where it all started if he did end up leaving Barcelona one day.
But instead, it’s PSG who have snapped up the 34-year-old’s talents in one of the most dramatic transfers in recent history.
Even Bielsa was ‘surprised’ by his fellow countryman leaving the Nou Camp and heading to the Parc des Princes.
“It was totally unexpected news,” said Bielsa. “It surprised me like everybody else.”
When the news broke about Messi leaving Barcelona, there were even some suggestions of Bielsa trying to lure the little magician to Yorkshire.
Whilst it was always highly unlikely and simply social media gossip, but if Bielsa pulled off such a deal then they would have built a statue of him outside of Elland Road the next morning.
But instead, Messi will link up with the little-known names of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar next season.
Simply put, if PSG and Manchester City aren’t in the Champions League final next season then something seriously has gone wrong with those oil-rich clubs.
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