Football history often feels set in stone, but sometimes, a tiny twist could have changed everything. Imagine a world where legendary coach Pep Guardiola led Getafe, or where Lionel Messi played his early professional games there. This isn’t just a daydream. Getafe’s president, Ángel Torres, recently revealed how incredibly close these two scenarios came to being real. He shared the fascinating details and explained why they ultimately fell apart.
Torres wanted to bring Pep Guardiola to Getafe back in 2008. At that time, Guardiola was coaching Barcelona’s B team, making his mark in the youth setup. Getafe saw his potential as a manager for their first team. Torres even spoke with Pep’s brother and secured a preliminary agreement. The plan was solid until Barcelona’s first-team coach, Frank Rijkaard, unexpectedly left his post. This sudden opening meant Barcelona needed a new manager, and Pep was the obvious choice. Torres still believes Guardiola would have been a coaching “monster” for Getafe, just as he became elsewhere.
The story of Lionel Messi almost joining Getafe is just as wild. Ángel Torres and his sporting director, Alfredo Duro, traveled to Barcelona with one goal: to sign Messi on loan. They even went to Camp Nou on August 18, ready to finalize the deal. There was a preliminary agreement in place with Barcelona. However, then-coach Frank Rijkaard delivered the bad news. Someone on Barcelona’s squad had picked up an injury. This meant Messi was suddenly needed at Barcelona to get playing time. Getafe’s delegation had to return home without the young superstar.
These revelations offer a captivating glimpse into football’s “what if” moments. They show how small events can shape the careers of legends and the fate of clubs. Getafe, currently sitting 8th in La Liga, can only ponder what might have been. These tales from the club president were shared during an interview on the ‘Resonancia de Corazón’ podcast.