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Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio’s latest book is full of entertaining stories, but one in particular stands out.
It involves Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, and the biggest star in world football: Lionel Messi. The implication. Although it is not stated openly, it is that Pérez used his influence over the Spanish government to ensure that a case of tax fraud against the player would result in harsh penalties. This, after the striker went against him.
Again, this is only implied and not overtly stated, and has not been tested. But the chain of events is sure to surprise.
Apparently, in 2013 Pérez got in touch with Messi to woo him to Madrid. He was willing to absolutely break the transfer fee record and offer Messi many millions in salary.
Pérez wanted to offer 250 million euros to pay the player’s termination clause, money that had previously been used to restructure his team’s stadium.
But the Barcelona star rejected it. Pérez hoped, at least, that Messi would appreciate his interest, or listen to him, but the Argentine simply told him that he was wasting time.
“Florentino, one of the most powerful men in Spain, did not appreciate it. It may have been a coincidence, but a few months later a long fiscal war broke out against the Argentines’ family and they were finally forced to pay 53 million euros, ”says the book.
This is not the first time all of this has been alleged. In 2018, Football Leaks disclosed documents that they claimed showed Real Madrid was willing to pay 250 million for Messi in 2013. They also said Madrid would pressure the Spanish prime minister to drop the tax fraud case if he agreed to join. The whites.
