“We want to bring him back” - Real Zaragoza chief explains plan to bring Lionel Messi back to Spain for friendly using Inter Miami links
Director general of second-tier Spanish side Real Zaragoza Raul Sanllehi opened up on his idea of bringing Lionel Messi back to Spain for a friendly. The executive stated that he would like to bring the Argentine superstar in the summer.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said:
"He scored one of his most beautiful goals in our stadium. We want to bring him back and play again here.”
“They know this and understand the benefits. Jorge Mas wants to bring Inter Miami to Zaragoza. One of Messi’s best goals was in the Romareda," he added.
Real Zaragoza and Inter Miami are linked by Jorge Mas. The American businessman is the president of the Spanish club and also is the owner of the Herons. Thus, they are looking to use this to their favour to host a friendly between the two sides.
Messi had a moment to remember in his career against Los Manos in the 2009-10 season, scoring an incredible solo goal as part of a hat-trick at the Estadio La Romerada. He went on to have a sensational campaign with Barcelona until 2021, lifting a multitude of trophies with the Catalan giants.
Since then, he completed a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain before making the move to the US. Real Zaragoza, on the other hand, suffered relegation from the top flight in 2013 and are yet to return.
Lionel Messi once revealed the club Barcelona players hated the most
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi once spoke about the Premier League side that Barcelona players hated even more than arch-rivals Real Madrid. Back in 2006, the 36-year-old stated that the side had a harsh rivalry against Chelsea, saying (via News of the World):
"There are [Barcelona] players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid."
"I never thought I would hear myself say that. I also never thought I would see something worse than the Boca and River Plate rivalry or Brazil vs Argentina - but this is.
"We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea."
Messi said this after La Blaugrana's elimination from the Champions League Round of 16 at the Blues' hands back in 2005. The then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also made some provocative comments over the officiating ahead of the fixture, deepening the rivalry.
The two sides have gone on to have multiple clashes at the continental stage further, with the most notable one coming in 2009 when Barcelona advanced past Chelsea in highly controversial fashion.