Lionel Messi has climbed to the highest of Argentina’s soccer historical past alongside Diego Maradona, regardless of leaving his residence nation at a younger age. With Spain as soon as an actual choice for his worldwide future, a former Messi coach has now revealed how Argentina finally “stole” the now-legendary star from La Roja.
A product of Newell’s Outdated Boys, Messi’s profession took a decisive flip when FC Barcelona provided to cowl the medical therapy he wanted for his progress points, main him to maneuver to Spain at age 13. As soon as in Europe, the younger ahead started showing for Spain’s youth groups as an alternative of Argentina, till the South American federation made its transfer.
Talking on the Olé Summit, former Argentina coach José Pékerman detailed how the federation ensured Messi selected the Albiceleste over Spain: “In Spain, we already had some background info on Leo Messi from an Below-17 match in Finland that he had performed with Spain. The individuals on the Spanish teaching workers informed us that if that they had had that ‘child,’ they’d have received it… I informed (Hugo) Tocalli (Argentina’s U-20 crew head coach) that I used to be blown away, that he was the participant of the longer term. I couldn’t be mistaken — he was the subsequent nice Argentine expertise, a blessing.“
At that time, the paperwork for Messi to play for Spain on the U-20 World Cup was already underway, that means Argentina needed to act quick. Below FIFA guidelines on the time, if a participant appeared for one nation’s youth crew, he was successfully blocked from switching to a different.
Lionel Messi of Argentina in 2006 World Cup.
With Argentina’s youth squad already set, the workers needed to improvise to safe Messi. “Tocalli informed me he already had the squad set… that he couldn’t imagine I used to be telling him a couple of new child now. I informed him I didn’t need him to play except obligatory, simply to play a pleasant, signal the match sheet, and ship it to FIFA. And that was it — Spain, by no means once more. I spoke with the president, defined every part, stated the child needed to come back, and that we needed to ship the call-up to Barcelona,” Pekerman acknowledged.
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Pékerman then labored with AFA president Julio Grondona to prepare a match at Argentinos Juniors’ stadium, the identical place the place Diego Maradona rose to fame. On June 28, 2004, Argentina’s U-20 crew confronted Paraguay in a pleasant that led to an 8–0 win for the Albiceleste, however extra importantly, formally locked Messi in as an Argentina participant.
Messi chasing extra information with Argentina in 2026
Pékerman later entrusted the Barcelona prodigy with a spot on Argentina’s 2006 World Cup roster when Messi was simply 18 years outdated. Now 38, the Inter Miami star continues to push boundaries and is ready to interrupt much more information with the nationwide crew.
With 196 caps, Messi at present shares second place for probably the most worldwide appearances in historical past with Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa, trailing solely Cristiano Ronaldo’s 226 for Portugal. Yet another recreation, probably the Finalissima towards Spain, would give him sole possession of second place.
Looking forward to the 2026 World Cup, Messi might turn into the primary participant ever to look in six editions of the match. Ronaldo and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa are additionally in competition to achieve the milestone, however Messi can be the primary Argentine to take action.
