Tried to sign Messi, Ronaldo when they were 16, 18: Wenger
Outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he tried to sign both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when they were aged around 16 and 18 respectively in 2003. Wenger said they were "very close" to sign Ronaldo but Manchester United offered Â£12 million for him, which Arsenal couldn't afford. "It didn't work out with Messi because of agents," he added.