RismadarVoice Reporters
October 31, 2026
Former Real Madrid technical secretary Miguel Ángel Portugal has revealed that the Spanish giants were offered an opportunity to sign Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in 2001, several years before he established himself as one of Barcelona’s greatest players.
Portugal disclosed during an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, published on October 30, while discussing players Real Madrid monitored during his association with the club.
According to the former official, an individual close to Messi approached Real Madrid when the Argentine youngster’s contractual situation at Barcelona remained uncertain.
Portugal explained that Messi, who had joined Barcelona’s youth academy in 2000 at the age of 13, had not signed a professional contract at the time of the alleged approach.
He said information about the player’s potential availability reached Madrid officials, prompting some contact, although the possibility never developed into a formal transfer negotiation.
Portugal acknowledged that he could not independently establish the accuracy of the information received by the club.
He suggested that Real Madrid’s reluctance to damage its relationship with Barcelona may have influenced the decision not to pursue the opportunity.
However, he stressed that he believed the proposed transfer would probably not have materialised out of respect for the relationship between the rival clubs.
The former Real Madrid player, Castilla coach, scout and technical secretary also discussed several other footballers monitored by the club during his career.
Among them were Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić and Robinho, whose performances had reportedly attracted Madrid’s scouting attention at different stages.
Messi ultimately remained at Barcelona, making his official first-team debut against Espanyol in October 2004.
He went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, registering 672 goals in 778 competitive appearances before departing in 2021.
During his Barcelona career, Messi won 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies and numerous other domestic and international honours.
The Argentine also became an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, establishing himself among football’s most decorated players.
Portugal’s disclosure has renewed discussions about one of football’s notable unrealised transfer possibilities, although no independent evidence has emerged confirming that Real Madrid formally attempted to sign Messi in 2001.
