Boateng: 'Barcelona Demanded Messi's Approval Before My 2019 Signing!'

Former Ghanaian player Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed details of his 2019 signing with Barcelona during an appearance on the "Unscripted" podcast, explaining that he had to wait for the approval of Lionel Messi, who was then the pivotal figure at the Catalan club.

Boateng stated that Messi, who was a symbol for Barcelona for 17 years between 2004 and 2021, wielded significant influence within the Catalan club. He noted that he had to secure the "Atomic Flea's" approval to sign with Barcelona, even after all club directors had agreed to his transfer.

The Ghanaian player recounted: "At that time, there were two sporting directors, one of them Éric Abidal, and he told me: 'Yes, we want you.' The second one told me: 'We want you.' The president wanted me, and so did the coach. So I said: 'Great, let's sign tomorrow!' But they replied: 'No, we have to talk to Leo (Messi) first.'"

Boateng added, expressing his feelings at that moment: "I went to sleep hoping that Leo would want me to come. I was telling myself that I might become a Barcelona player the next day, but if Leo said no, I wouldn't sign that contract."

Boateng did indeed join Barcelona on loan in January 2019. After six months at the club, during which he made only four appearances, he left Catalonia to continue his career with Fiorentina, Beşiktaş, Monza, and Hertha Berlin, before retiring from playing in 2023.