Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Dani Alves are just a few of the high-profile players who chose Barcelona over Real Madrid, according to reports.
Barcelona's allure has been a major factor in the decisions of several top players. One such player is Neymar, who claims he chose Barcelona for footballing reasons. "I sent offers from Chelsea and Real Madrid to Santos," his former agent Wagner Riberio told UOL Esporte, per Goal. "The one from Barcelona went directly to the father. I wanted him to go to Madrid, I always said it. Economically, it was a better offer for Santos and even better for the player. But he decided to go to Barcelona because they were the team of his heart."
Lionel Messi's former agent, Horacio Gaggioli, revealed that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner could have signed for Real Madrid in his youth days. "Due to life circumstances, I went to live in Barcelona, and I brought him to Barca for a trial," Gaggioli said. But Messi ultimately chose Barcelona, with Spanish outlet Cadena COPE reporting that Florentino Perez tried to bring the Argentina star to Madrid on three occasions – but Messi responded with a 'Thanks, but no thanks' to each of Perez's offers.
Dani Alves also made the switch to Barcelona, revealing in a radio interview in 2016 that he had almost joined Real Madrid. "I never hid my move to Real Madrid was almost done… my fate changed and I arrived at Barcelona instead," Alves said. He went on to win a remarkable treble of trophies in Pep Guardiola's famous side in his first season at the club.
Other notable players who chose Barcelona over Real Madrid include Cesc Fabregas, who revealed that Madrid president Ramon Calderon made a last-ditch attempt to bring him to the Bernabeu. "That you are wanted by Madrid, one of the biggest teams in history, is important," Fabregas said in an interview. But he chose to return to Barcelona in 2011, where he won several major honors.
Luis Suarez was another high-profile player to choose Barcelona, citing his dream to play for the club. "Real Madrid were very interested in me, but my dream was always to play for Barca," Suarez said on COPE's El Partido de las 12 show. He ultimately joined Barcelona in 2014, after the club's support of him following his biting incident at the World Cup.
Gavi, the 18-year-old midfielder, has already made over 60 appearances for Barcelona and has the potential to be one of the world's leading midfielders. But Barca had to beat off fierce competition for the Andalucian, with his former coach Manuel Vasco revealing that both Real Madrid and Atletico wanted him.
Samuel Eto'o was another player who chose Barcelona over Real Madrid, despite initially being scouted by Madrid as a youngster. Eto'o thrived at Mallorca before heading to Barcelona in 2004, where he went on to become one of the most feared strikers in the world.
The Camp Nou has a long history of attracting top talent, and it's clear that the club's allure is a major factor in the decisions of many players. With several top players choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid, it's clear that the Catalan club remains a major force in the world of football.
Source: Planet Football
