Brazilian forward Malcom recently disclosed that Lionel Messi attempted to convince him to remain at Barcelona before his 2019 departure to Zenit St. Petersburg, according to Yahoo Sports.
Malcom, who joined the Spanish giants from Bordeaux in 2018, struggled to secure consistent playing time among the club’s deep attacking options.
Despite his limited appearances, the winger received high praise from his teammate at the time.
During an interview with Abu Dhabi Sports, as cited by Cadena SER, the player shared details regarding a private conversation with the Argentine icon.
Malcom recalled that Messi approached him as he prepared to finalize his transfer to the Russian league.
The former Barcelona star reportedly told him: “You’re a player with a very bright future, and you’ll become a great footballer.”
Messi further expressed his desire for the Brazilian to continue his development at the Camp Nou.
According to reports from Cadena SER, Messi told him: “Stay here, you’re one of Barça’s future players.”
Despite the high-profile endorsement, the then-22-year-old decided that he needed to prioritize his professional growth elsewhere.
Malcom explained that his primary motivation for leaving was the need to participate in more matches to prove his capabilities.
He noted that he was young and eager to gain experience while demonstrating his potential on the pitch, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The decision to move to Zenit St. Petersburg marked the end of a solitary, challenging year for the attacker in Spain.
While his tenure at Barcelona did not go as initially expected, the revelation highlights the confidence Messi held in his former teammate during their time together.
The account provided by the outlets offers a rare glimpse into the internal dynamics of the squad during that transition period.