Reigning world player of the year Lionel Messi could have joined one of Barcelona's rivals after Adidas reportedly offered to pay half of his €250 million buy-out clause.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Adidas reached out to Messi's agents and Barcelona during the off-season, hoping to help him move to Real Madrid, Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
Messi is already sponsored by Adidas, wearing their 'adizero F50' boots and featuring in television commercials for the German company.
Nike supplies Barcelona with their playing kits, gaining exposure from Messi each time he plays for the Catalan club.
Adidas supply kits to Barcelona's Spanish rivals Real Madrid and European rivals Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and Messi's arrival at one of the three would only benefit the company.
The problems extend far beyond the €125 million that those clubs would also have to pay Barcelona, with Messi feeling indebted to the club.
The Argentine moved to Spain at 13 years old after Barcelona offered to pay for his growth hormone treatment, and he has since helped them win La Liga six times along with three Champions League victories.
Current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola led the club for five of those nine titles, but he and Messi had a falling out before he left Barcelona.
Given Adidas is based in Germany, a move to Bayern Munich would have been the best result from an economic standpoint.
Had Messi joined Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid, he would have followed in the footsteps of Portuguese striker Luis Figo.
Figo won two La Liga titles with Barca before Madrid poached him to usher in the first Galacticos era, in which they won the league twice and the Champions League once.
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