KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG has revealed a stunning twist behind his shock move to Barcelona.
The former Tottenham midfielder lifted the lid during an appearance on the UNSCRIPTED podcast with Josh Mansour.
Boateng said he was close to signing when he found out Lionel Messi had a huge say in whether he joined.
According to the ex-Ghana international, Messi’s opinion was so important the deal couldn’t go ahead without it.
He explained that Barcelona’s sporting directors at the time, including Eric Abidal, were fully backing the transfer.
The coach had given approval too and the club president was ready to sign off on the move.
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Boateng believed everything was in place and expected the deal to be completed within 24 hours.
But then, he says, came the shock moment that stopped the signing in its tracks.
Just as he prepared to put pen to paper, club bosses told him they had to speak to Messi first.
Boateng admitted he couldn’t believe what he was hearing when officials paused the process.
He was left stunned that the club wouldn’t move without Messi giving the green light.
Boateng recalled: “They said, ‘No, we need to speak to Leo first.”
He confessed he spent the night hoping Messi liked him enough to let the transfer go ahead.
He added: “I was like, tomorrow I can sign my shirt with Barcelona, but if Leo says no, I will not sign the contract.”
In the end, it was all fine and he ended up winning La Liga with the club during his time there.
But his revelation is an insight into the kind of power Messi had at Barcelona.
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