What if Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, had represented Spain instead of his home country? It's a tantalizing thought, but one that never materialized, thanks to the efforts of a certain coach.
José Pékerman, a revered figure in Argentine football, is known for his pivotal role in nurturing generations of talented players. But here's where it gets intriguing: he also played a part in keeping Messi from playing for Spain. And this is the part most people miss—it was a deliberate move to secure Messi's future with Argentina.
Pékerman, a three-time U-20 World Champion and former manager of the senior team, shared a fascinating story during an event hosted by Diario Olé. He revealed how he orchestrated a strategic 'operation' to prevent Messi from joining the Spanish national team as a teenager.
While traveling in Europe to enhance his coaching skills, Pékerman overheard members of Spain's technical staff praising a 17-year-old attacker. Little did they know, they were talking about Lionel Messi, who had been training at Barcelona's La Masia academy since he was 13. The Spanish federation was planning to include him in their U-20 World Cup squad, a move that could have altered football history.
"I saw Maradona in him when he was little. When I saw Messi, I said: 'He's going to be the same,'" Pékerman recalled, comparing Messi to the legendary Argentine player.
The Spanish coaches had noticed Messi's talent at a U-17 tournament in Finland and even expressed regret at not having him on their team. Pékerman realized the urgency of the situation and took action. He informed his colleague Hugo Tocalli, who was finalizing Argentina's U-20 roster, about Messi's potential inclusion in Spain's team.
Tocalli was initially hesitant, but Pékerman had a plan. He wanted Messi to play in a friendly match, sign the match sheet, and send it to FIFA, ensuring his future with Argentina. "I told him I didn’t want him to play unless necessary, just that he play in a friendly, sign the match sheet and send it to FIFA. And that’s it, Spain no more," Pékerman explained.
The urgency was clear: Messi was the future of Argentine football, and his paperwork for the U-20 World Cup with Spain was already in motion. A friendly match was arranged in Buenos Aires, at the stadium where Diego Maradona started his career, and Messi made his appearance, sealing his fate with Argentina.
This strategic move paid off. Messi went on to become a legend for Argentina, making nearly 200 appearances and winning the World Cup in 2022. But what if things had been different? Could Messi have achieved the same success with Spain?
In a 2018 interview, Messi himself acknowledged the possibility of playing for Spain but emphasized that it wouldn't have felt the same. However, Spain's former coach, Vicente del Bosque, revealed that the decision was ultimately Messi's, as he chose to represent Argentina due to his love for his country. Del Bosque also admitted that having Messi on the Spanish team would have been a dream come true.
So, was it a missed opportunity for Spain, or a blessing for Argentina? The debate is open, and it's a fascinating one. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
