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Revealed: Real Madrid have failed to sign Barcelona star Lionel Messi three times
REAL MADRID have three times tried to lure Lionel Messi away from Barcelona, according to reports.
Real Madrid see Messi as the only replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo
The 28-year-old superstar has been with Barca since he age of 13 and made his debut just three years later.
And having become one of the world's greatest players, Spanish journalist Joseba Larranaga is claiming that Madrid approached Messi about a move for the first time in 2011.
Speaking on national radio station Cope, Larranaga claims Madrid were worried that a massive bid from Manchester City would tempt Cristiano Ronaldo to leave.