Messi, Cantona, Roberto Carlos: Moratti reveals his Inter regrets

Former Inter President Massimo Moratti reveals he had a chance to sign Leo Messi and Eric Cantona for the Nerazzurri and regrets selling Roberto Carlos and Andrea Pirlo.

The legendary Nerazzurri President spoke about his time at the helm of the Serie A giants in an interview with Radio Serie A.

Inter won several Scudetti during the Moratti Presidency and conquered a legendary treble in 2009-10 with José Mourinho in charge.

Some of the best players in the game played for Inter during the Moratti era, from Brazilian striker Ronaldo to Pirlo, from Roberto Baggio and Javier Zanetti. Many others could have signed for the Serie A giants, including Messi and Manchester United legend Cantona.

Moratti said the first time he saw Messi in action was when the striker was playing for Argentina U19. “He impressed me with his class and personality,” said Moratti.

“There were journalists asking me if I wanted to sign Ronaldinho, but I replied that I wanted Messi. He knew it and put himself in contact with us, but Barcelona had treated him and I would have been sorry [to sign him]. However, he would send me his shirt every year.”

Moratti revealed more regrets from his time as Inter’s President: “There are many. Sometimes I am surprised people don’t get angry when they think about me,” he said.

“Cantona would have helped us take a step forward. [Signing him] would have been spectacular.”

Moratti also said he shouldn’t have sacked the “poor” Gigi Simoni. The Italian tactician was dismissed in November 1998 after a 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Moratti explained that he had to sell Roberto Carlos to Real Madrid in 1996 for financial reasons but admitted he “should have defended Pirlo more” rather than sending him to Milan in 2001.