Back in 2014, Lionel Messi's future at FC Barcelona was up in the air, and it has now been revealed that former coach Tito Vilanova convinced the Argentine to stay at the Camp Nou just six days before he passed away.
It was a difficult campaign for the Catalan giants when Vilanova, who had replaced Pep Guardiola as head coach in 2012 and won the LaLiga title in his first season in charge, had to step down in July 2013 due to health reasons.
Gerardo Martino had taken over and Messi was reportedly considering leave the club. However, a long conversation with Villanova convinced the Argentina talisman to stay, according to the late coach's former assistant Jordi Roura.
"It's true that Leo wasn't sure if he was going to stay at Barcelona," Roura told Radio Kanal Barcelona, as cited by the Daily Mirror.
"It's true that meeting took place. I wasn't there, they were there for many hours speaking and it's also true that I don't know what was said.
"What's for sure is that Messi changed his outlook, and fortunately for everything Barcelona, Messi decided to stay here."
Villanova died on 25 April 2014, just six days after that talk with Messi, and Barcelona ended that campaign without any silverware.
Martino left his post at the end of 2013/14, and was replaced by Luis Enrique, who guided the club to the treble the following season.
Messi remembered the late Vilanova on the latest anniversary of his passing with a picture on Instagram, featuring the forward and the former coach together on a training pitch, accompanied with the message "Siempre con nosotros", which translates to "Aways with us".
Do you think Messi made the right decision in staying at Barca? Have your say in the comments section below.
