Paolo Maldini admits he tried to sign Lionel Messi for AC Milan.

Maldini was sacked as technical director by Milan at the end of last season.

He admits he attempted to beat PSG to Messi when the Argentina great chose to leave Barcelona.

“For 10 days we tried to bring Messi to Milan, but then we realised it was impossible," said Maldini on the PoretCast show.

“It is too late now, but a player like Messi is a spectacle for anyone to witness. When I read that he might even go to Inter, I got scared!"