Lionel Messi is one of the best soccer players in history and has left his mark at both club and international level. The Argentine star won everything with Barcelona and in 2022 he managed to win a World Cup with his country, which was the only thing he was missing. However, in his early days there was a choice that could have changed everything, where Leo had to choose which country to represent.
In a recent interview, Messi explained that he was offered to play for the Spanish national team, however, the number 10 assured that his heart was with Argentina and he does not regret his decision.
Messi reveals he received an offer to play for Spain
In an interview with the podcast Miro De Atras, Messi explained that, having moved to Europe at such a young age and grown up in Barcelona’s youth system, it was natural that the possibility of representing Spain would arise. However, despite the appeal of the proposal, his decision was always guided by sentiment.
It could have happened. But no, well… I always… my heart was always with Argentina
“There was a moment when it came up. I was already playing for Barca, and they kind of hinted at it, suggested it… which is normal, right? It happens with many kids,” Messi began.
The Argentine star added that “at that time, although I am Argentine, I had moved to Barcelona very young and had done most of my training in their youth system, so the possibility was there. It could have happened. But no, well… I always… my heart was always with Argentina.”
Not everything was easy for Messi in Argentina
Although he is now the all-time leading scorer and the player with the most appearances for his national team, the road was not easy. Messi recalled that, even in the stages of painful defeats, such as the 2014 World Cup final or the Copa America finals, the human quality of the squad was his greatest support.
“At the national team level, we always had good groups. In the 2014 team, under coach Sabella, the group was fantastic. I always compare and enjoy things in the same way, even though we lost the World Cup final. We were unlucky. We couldn’t be world champions, but we reached the final,” said the Inter Miami player.
Even in more turbulent processes such as Russia 2018, he highlighted the good relationship between teammates:
“After that, we also reached two Copa America finals. And then, in the process of Russia, although the situation and the results made everything much more complicated, the group was still good and we got along very well,” added Leo.
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