We would have loved Messi at Madrid, says Florentino

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed that he would have loved to bring Lionel Messi to Santiago Bernabeu.

The Barcelona star is the crown jewel of the club having acquired the name ‘La Pulga’ (the flea) very early on in his Barcelona career.

He reached his 500th goal for the club by destroying Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and grabbing an injury time winner in the dying seconds of the match.

Messi’ celebration was iconic – hanging his Barcelona shirt in front of him for the crowd. The celebration was another pictureseque moment in Messi’s career as he showed his loyalty to the Barcelona fans.

The Argentine, who arrived at the club aged 13, has won eight La Liga titles, and four Champions League for the Catalans.

Perez talked with Onda Cero and revealed that the dream of bringing in Lionel Messi was just a dream because Barcelona acquired him at such an young age.

"Of course we would have loved to have had Messi at Madrid," Perez told Onda Cero.

"But he was in the Barca youth team so it could never have happened!"

Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Ors with five to his name. The playmaker is considered the best player of all time by many and has a strong sporting rivalry with Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentine is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal to extend his contract with Barcelona.