Lionel Messi, one of the greatest football players of all time, took 17 years and 5 appearances to win the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. During that long wait, experts and fans often asked the question: “What if Messi played for Spain, would he win more titles?” This is a controversial topic, but also very attractive when imagining the prospect of Messi wearing the shirt of the bullfighting team. Let’s find out with Bestsoccertips.com through the article shared below!
Messi and his special connection to Spain
Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, but his professional football journey is closely linked to Spain, especially Barcelona. At the age of 13, Messi joined the famous La Masia training academy and quickly became the jewel of Catalan football. He also qualified for Spanish citizenship thanks to his family’s origin from Catalonia, where his great-grandfather lived.
Not only the legal conditions, the Spanish football environment has helped Messi grow up, from a promising young talent to a world-class superstar. In the early years of his career, Messi received an offer from the Spanish Football Federation to play for the Spanish national team. However, he refused, firmly choosing Argentina – his homeland.
However, many opinions say that if Messi agreed to play for Spain, his international career would be more brilliant. Spain, with a golden generation of players like Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas, dominated world football from 2008 to 2012. The arrival of Messi could help them extend this period of dominance and win more titles.
What if Messi played for Spain?
Chance to win two World Cups
Former player Mariano Pernia, who played for the Spanish national team, has asserted that if Messi chose Spain, he would have won at least two World Cups. The first was 2010, when Spain won the title thanks to their perfect tiki-taka style of play. With Messi in the squad, they would not only have won the title but also played even more beautiful football.
The second was the 2014 World Cup, where Spain disappointed when they were eliminated in the group stage. Meanwhile, Messi led Argentina to the final. If Messi had played for Spain at that time, with his peak form, perhaps this team would have successfully defended the title. The exquisite passes of Xavi and Iniesta combined with Messi’s superb scoring ability would certainly make any opponent fear.
Impact in other tournaments
Apart from the World Cup, Messi’s presence could also help Spain win more titles at EURO. Spain won EURO 2008 and 2012, but Messi could bring more explosion in both tournaments. Especially in the Copa Confederations, where Spain often do not play well, Messi could be the one to help the Spanish team complete their collection of international titles.
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Loyalty to Argentina: The Decision That Made History
Unwavering Loyalty
Messi once shared that playing for Argentina was not only an honor but also a responsibility. The decision to reject Spain to choose Argentina brought him many great challenges. For more than a decade, Messi constantly faced pressure when the Argentina team could not win any major titles, although he was always the leader of the team.
However, that perseverance helped Messi write a miracle story in 2021 when he won the Copa America – his first international title with Argentina. The peak was the 2022 World Cup, where Messi finally led Argentina to the championship, ending his emotional journey in the national team.
Messi’s legacy
If Messi had chosen Spain, he might have won glory sooner, but that would have lost the legendary story of loyalty and perseverance. Victory with Argentina not only proves talent but also affirms that great things always require time and constant effort.
Conclusion
So what if Messi played for spain? The prospect of Messi playing for Spain is an interesting and intriguing hypothesis. Spain could become an even more legendary team, and Messi could soon win the World Cup. However, Messi’s decision to stick with Argentina has created an iconic career, not just for the trophies but also for the spirit and consistency. That is what makes Messi not only a great player but also a living legend in the hearts of football fans around the world.
See also: When did Messi join Barcelona? The journey from prodigy to legend
