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🚨 Lionel Messi on why Chelsea is the ONLY EPL team he follows on IG, revealing how close he’s to join the Blues in 2013. 🗣️Lionel Messi: “ Honestly, there’s a reason behind it. My admiration for Chelsea started many years ago, especially during those Champions League battles against Barcelona. I remember those games very well. Chelsea were one of the few teams that could make life extremely difficult for us. They had incredible players, a strong mentality and supporters who made Stamford Bridge a special place. I remember Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Eden Hazard. Those were special players. People might not believe this, but in 2013, there was a possibility of me joining Chelsea. There were discussions, and I was genuinely interested in what the club was building at the time. I won’t say everything was agreed, because it wasn’t, but Chelsea were a club I seriously admired. I remember watching them and thinking about how incredible it would be to experience that atmosphere from the other side. Barcelona will always be my home, but I developed a special affection for Chelsea. And I think people misunderstand why I follow them. It’s not because somebody asked me to. It’s not because of social media. I genuinely enjoy watching Chelsea. I’ve watched Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City over the years, but Chelsea has always been different for me. Even during the difficult Champions League nights against them, I couldn’t help respecting the club. Some people might find it surprising, but I have always loved Chelsea’s identity. If you ask me which Premier League club I have the strongest connection with, my answer is Chelsea. And if I had the opportunity to experience English football during my playing career, Stamford Bridge would have been a very special place to play. I don’t need to hide my affection for the club. Chelsea is the only Premier League club I follow, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I have enormous respect for the other English clubs, but Chelsea will always have a special place in my heart.”