Barcelona once tried to sign unknown starlet from Scottish Premiership to play with Messi

The transfer would've seen the young Scotsman join Barca's prestigious La Masia academy, which produced eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

Instead, the Livingston starlet ended up signing for Leeds United in 2008.

That Livingston starlet was former Premier League forward Robert Snodgrass.

But despite never sealing a move to LaLiga in his career, news of Snodgrass' potential switch to Barca all those years ago certainly didn't go unnoticed in Scotland.

Now, the former Tartan Army star has detailed just how that interest from the LaLiga giants came around.

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"That was [when I was playing] for Livingston," Snodgrass told talkSPORT Breakfast, when asked about his links to the Nou Camp.

Host and former Scotland international Alan Brazil was stunned, replying: "What?! Livingston to Barcelona? Woah!"

"Do you not know that story?" Snodgrass smiled. "We played for Under-17s at Scotland, a tournament at La Masia, then they contacted the club and all that stuff."

The young Scot clearly put on displays worthy of the attention of Barca scouts in the crowd.

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Despite the interest though, unfortunately for Snodgrass, it wasn't meant to be.

The forward still doesn't really know the reason why the pursuit for him was abandoned.

"There was a change of ownership and all that, I remember them telling me about the story," Snodgrass continued. "It was strange.

"Obviously I told my family, but you tell your family, a typical East End family and then all of a sudden everybody in Glasgow knows! It was everywhere.

"But it didn't materialise, I don't know for which strange reason."

Whilst he missed out on making a dream move to Barca, Snodgrass did go on to play in the Premier League for a large chunk of his career.

Starting at Elland Road, the Scot moved up to the Premier League and starred for Norwich, Hull, West Ham and West Brom.

He then signed for Luton before returning to Scotland to play for Hearts. He was released this summer.

The 36-year-old has made 28 appearances for his country's senior team in his career, scoring seven goals in that time.