Capello: I asked about Messi

Fabio Capello has revealed that he once asked to take a young Lionel Messi on loan when he was in charge at Juventus.

The current Russia national team Coach had taken his team to Camp Nou for the Gamper Trophy game against Barcelona in 2005, when he made then Barca boss Frank Rijkaard the proposition.

“It was at a time when the game was stopped so I went over to Rijkaard and made him the offer,” disclosed Capello in an interview with Cadena SER.

“I told that him he couldn’t put Messi on the pitch because he already had three foreigners, then asked him why didn’t he let Juventus borrow him for a year before he came back to Barca.

“He replied that the situation would be sorted out within three or four months so he was unable to do it.

“That’s why Messi was a little late in making his full debut,” claimed Capello.

Tags Capello Juventus Messi Rijkaard
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