Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed that his move to Barcelona wasn’t solely determined by club officials or the coach, but hinged significantly on the opinion of Leo Messi. The Argentine superstar had the final say, and his evaluation could have entirely stopped the transfer.
Boateng revisited these events during the UNSCRIPTED podcast. He shared how the club had already reached internal agreements.
Eric Abidal and other directors supported the move, the coach approved, and even the president had given his consent. Boateng was confident that everything was set and that he would sign the contract the following day.
However, to his surprise, he learned that the process had been halted because Messi’s opinion was still pending. This revelation left him completely stunned. That night, Boateng went to bed knowing his future with the team was in Messi’s hands, depending on whether the Argentine believed he was a suitable fit for the squad.
Had Messi decided Boateng didn’t align with the team’s needs, the deal would have been nullified. Boateng emphasised that it was at this moment that he truly understood the monumental influence that Barcelona’s captain wielded within the club.