Kevin-Prince Boateng, who had a brief stint at Barcelona in 2019, has revealed that his move to Camp Nou required the approval of Lionel Messi, underlining the Argentine’s immense influence in transfer dealings during his time at the club.

Speaking to Bona Fide Sports, Boateng explained that despite receiving the green light from Barcelona’s hierarchy — including then-sporting directors Eric Abidal and his colleague, the president, and the coach — the final decision rested with Messi:

“Before I went to Barcelona, they had two sporting directors. One of them was Eric Abidal. He said, ‘Yes, we want you.’ Then the other sporting director said, ‘We want you.’ The president said, ‘We want you.’ The coach says, ‘We want you.’ And I said, ‘Perfect, I’m gonna sign tomorrow.’ They said, ‘No, we need to speak to Leo first.’”

Boateng admitted he went to bed anxious, knowing his transfer hinged on Messi’s approval:

“I was going to sleep hoping that Leo likes me or sees me in the team. Tomorrow, I can sign my shirt with Barcelona, but if Leo says no, I would not sign my contract.”

By the next morning, Messi had given the nod, and Boateng’s move was confirmed.

A Real Madrid Fan Turned Barça Player

Boateng also revealed the irony of his unveiling at Barcelona, given his childhood allegiance to Real Madrid:


  • He was instructed to declare Messi as “the best player in the world” and Barcelona as his favourite club.

  • In reality, he grew up a staunch Madridista, making the moment a surreal twist in his career.

Legacy of Messi’s Influence

Boateng’s story highlights the extraordinary weight Messi carried at Barcelona — not just on the pitch but in shaping the squad itself. His approval was seen as essential to maintaining harmony and ensuring new arrivals fit into the team dynamic.

This anecdote adds another layer to Messi’s legacy at Barcelona, showing how his stature extended far beyond goals and trophies into the very fabric of the club’s decision-making.