Why Barcelona rejected Argentina legend this summer

Stuart Telford

• 20 Dec 2022 18:36 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona could have had more than one Argentine World Cup winner on their books had they conducted their transfer business a little bit differently…

Lionel Messi is the most obvious example; the Barcelona legend having left on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 with the club €1.35 billion in debt before going onto fire Argentina to glory in Qatar.

Most of Messi's legend was written with Barca - 672 goals, 303 assists, 10 La Ligas, four Champions Leagues, seven Ballons d'Or - but he was still missing a World Cup until this winter.

READ: The debate is over - Lionel Messi is the GOAT

While Messi contributed seven goals and three assists to Argentina's cause, and his own place in history, he was ably assisted by Angel Di Maria, injury permitting, the Juventus man scoring the second of Argentina's three goals in their penalty shoot-out victory over France in the final.

Di Maria has spent a single season as Messi's clubmate at PSG before being released last summer, and before signing for Juve, he came close to joining Barca.

Di Maria too old

"In May, Di Maria offered himself to Barca, being able to join them as a free agent," report Mundo Deportivo. "Xavi welcomed the idea because he considers Di Maria a player who can make things happen. However, it was finally ruled out due to squad structure and the player's age."

READ: Ex-Man Utd manager Van Gaal gives WEIRD response to Di Maria criticism

Di Maria turns 35 in February, while Barca's stable of wingers - Ousmane Dembele (25 years old), Raphinha (26), Ferran Torres (22) and Ansu Fati (20) are significantly younger.

Dembele is the first choice of those, and has contributed five goals and seven assists to the Blaugrana's cause this season, but he was given the run-around by Di Maria on Sunday.

Di Maria earned the penalty that Messi converted for 1-0 from a Dembele foul and the Frenchman was subbed off - alongside Olivier Giroud - five minutes before the break. L'Equipe didn't give either player a match rating.