Report: Real Madrid tried to sign Lionel Messi on three occasions

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 28 January 2016

A report claims that Real Madrid have tried to sign Lionel Messi from Spanish rivals Barcelona on three separate occasions during the forward's career at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid have reportedly tried to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona on three separate occasions.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been with Barcelona since 2001 and has scored 432 goals in 507 appearances for the Catalan outfit.

Regarded to be one of the best players in the history of the sport, Messi has helped his Spanish club win seven La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and three Copa del Rey crowns since the 2004-05 season.

According to Cadena Cope, however, Real Madrid have attempted to sign the Argentina international on three occasions during his time at Camp Nou.

The Spanish radio station claims that the first attempt came in 2011, the second in the summer of 2013, and the third last year. Barcelona, however, were not prepared to entertain discussions with the capital outfit.

Messi recently revealed that he would never represent another European club, all but ending talk of a move to Manchester City, but the forward is widely expected to return to Argentine football before hanging up his boots.