It was June 29, 2004, when Lionel Messi debuted with Argentina's under-20 team, yet there was once a day when the forward could have actually represented Spain.
Ahead of the 2003 Under-17 World Cup held in Finland, the Spanish Football Federation had attempted to convince the Barcelona starlet to be a part of their travelling squad.
Whilst Spain would reach the final with Cesc Fabregas leading the team, Messi and his father were always completely clear: they wanted to represent Argentina, the country of his birth.
This remained the case, even though Hugo Tocalli, the coach of the Argentina under-17s, didn't consider him for his own squad for the trip to Finland.
Spain continued to try and tempt Messi, yet Jorge Messi, his father, took advantage of Marcelo Bielsa's visit to Catalonia to try and convince him Messi was ready for the Argentine national team.
Claudio Vivas would take note of this meeting and ask for videos of the teenage footballer, upon seeing them it was apparent that the Barcelona prodigy would be good enough for the national team.
Despite having just turned 17, Messi would then be given his international debut, wearing the number 17 shirt.
Demiadd
266
Probably his only footballing mistake.
BernardIgnatius
177
if messi had started to play for spain, he would have a wc or two by now and we wouldn't have been having this unending debate about who is the goat.
youdekmoz
135
Loyalty with club and country 🔥
Josciknpry
111
Sleeping in the garage doesn't make you a car, he is Argentine and it was the right decision.
Victorolo
93
if Maradona didn't do hand of God he wouldn't have one the wc
Blaize45
88
That's why he is a GOAT, he chose his country and not cheap Glory with Spain. My respect to u M10. You will forever be a GOAT world cup or not, Copa America or not. U already rule the football world. There are so many worthless world cup winners like Giroud so it can't be a measure of your greatness but rather the joy u bring to all football fans whenever you grace the pitch. Barca GOAT, My GOAT, Everyone's GOAT. Even Pele secretly adores you. Salut M10
SeriesA
77
He could have played for Spain and be the best above Maradona but he choose to play in Argentina's team to compete Maradona's statute but all of those hope destroys his International fame. What a flop!..
Johnfrancis Okijet
69
all of saying if Messi had played for Spain......hv u ever thought it the other way round......imagine if C. Ronaldo had played for Brazil......life doesn't give u all....wat makes u great is wat u make out of wat u hv...so u guys saying Messi should hv played for Spain to be the GOAT.......sounds funny ....hahahaha
badadklmt
54
And who knew Spain would win a world cup?
fiycdopuyz
44
if Ronaldo had played for Brazil then .... if platini had played for Italy ... if higuain had played for France ... if drogba had played for France .... if eto had played for France ...... if Prince boatem had played for Germany .. if matip had played for Germany ..... if kaka had played for Italy ....... if deco had played for Brazil ..... if zlatan had played for Italy .... if recoba had played for Brazil .... there are many of such "ifs". So messi isn't the only one .So stop the trash.Argentina is his country and he chosed Argentina over Spain because he saw argentina better than Spain by far and knew he could easily tophies with them . He made that decision in 2003 and no one could compare Argentina team that time with Spain and even the future .