Opposition to the transfer of Messi to Barca: he is short!

In 2000, one of the coaches of La Masia was against the recruitment of Lionel Messi.

France Football journalist Florent Torchot published three reports on Messi made by La Masia coaches in 2000 on his X social network account. Two reports supported his transfer, while a third opposed it.

One of the coaches, who was against the transfer of Messi, wrote in his report: "I think he is a player with undoubted technical abilities, but his physical limitation (height 142 cm) is too much to compete in this current age category. And next year it will be more difficult, because even if he grows taller, at 150 cm and considering his physical difference, it will be very difficult to play at a higher age group. In my opinion, he should not be hired. "At best, you should monitor his progress and try him again after a few years."

However, two other reports supported his transfer. One of them wrote: "If we do not consider the differences in appearance, he is a small Maradona. I'm recruiting him, he has a lot of potential. We have to see how it develops in the future."

Another report adds: "Considering his age, he is a player with very complete technical abilities. He has an advantage over his teammates: he has good field vision, he is agile, fast, smart, he is a good dribbler, he makes good passes. He is a very complete player and better than all his teammates. He shoots well and is good in one-on-ones, but he is short. He is physically weak and not tall enough. Most of his competitors are physically stronger. He is a very good player."

Barcelona heeded two positive reports and soon after, signed Lionel Messi at the age of 13. The rest is history.