Argentina legend Lionel Messi breaks his own record to lift an 8th Ballon d’Or – almost 20 years on from when Rangers tried to sign him on loan.
Now turning out for FC Miami in the MLS – where he’s faced off against Scott Arfield – the former Barcelona and PSG attacker was once again voted by his fellow professionals as being the best player in the game.
Whilst his club career has taken an interesting twist, Lionel Messi largely won this latest Ballon d’Or due to his astonishing exploits with Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Messi was magnificent at the tournament in the Middle East netting seven goals and laying on three assists, with his performance in the Final against France the stuff of legend.
Netting a double in the game, Lionel Messi hauled his team to a legendary World Cup penalty kicks victory after a 3-3 draw in Doha and an 8th Ballon d’Or has followed that success
But as the legendary attacker picks up the gong, one wonders what might’ve been if loan interest from the famous Glasgow Rangers was realised back in 2004.
Rangers wanted Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi in 2004
As reported by Sky Sports at the time, then Rangers manager Alex McLeish had made an enquiry to Frank Rijkaard and Barcelona about taking a teenage Lionel Messi to Ibrox.
But the prodigious Argentina talent was so highly-rated by Barcelona even back then that the club were not interested in entertaining Rangers’ proposal.
Record-breaking Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi also isn’t the only former Barcelona star who was enquired about by Rangers.
Alex McLeish has also previously claimed that fellow World Cup winner and Spanish midfield legend Andres Iniesta came close to joining Rangers on loan the same year.
Both players certainly went on to have not bad careers and whilst Rangers might’ve failed in any would-be approach there’s a story to be told.
To many, Lionel Messi is the greatest ever to play the game and it would’ve been quite something to see him turn out in the blue of Rangers.
Messi did once play at Ibrox with a legendary Barcelona side held to a 0-0 draw against Walter Smith’s resolute Rangers in 2007, much to the Argentine’s dismay.
Barcelona would then defeat Rangers 2-0 at the Nou Camp in the return fixture, with Lionel Messi scoring alongside Thierry Henry.
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