CHICAGO, USA – Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi confessed that during his time at FC Barcelona he received suggestions to represent the Spanish national team, a possibility that, as he admitted, “could have happened”, although his desire was always to defend the colors of Argentina.
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In an interview given to the podcast
Miro de Atrás, the Argentinian captain explained that, having been trained in the lower categories of Barcelona from a very young age, there was the option of wearing the Spanish shirt.
“At some point, something from Spain reached me. I was already playing for Barcelona and they sort of hinted at it. It was normal at that time. I went to Barcelona very young, I did a large part of the youth system there and there was a possibility. It could have happened, but my desire was always Argentina,” he said.
Self-criticism and learning
In the conversation, Messi also acknowledged that he regrets not having studied English during his childhood.
“I regret many things. I tell my children. Having a good education, not having learned English as a child. I’ve had time to study it and I regret it very much. Sometimes you’re with personalities and not being able to hold a conversation makes you feel ignorant,” he commented.
Memories of Maradona
The world champion also referred to Diego Maradona, whom he described as “a crazy thing” for the generational impact he caused.
Messi recalled that he met him personally after winning the 2005 U-20 World Cup, when the Argentine star invited him to his television show. “He showed up in the dressing room with my whole family,” he recounted.
The Key Moment in Qatar 2022
The attacker also reviewed the 2022 World Cup victory and pointed out that the group stage match against Mexico was one of the most decisive and suffered of the tournament.
“That match was decisive. We were playing for a lot. We had come from many matches without losing and we couldn’t let the match against Saudi Arabia change us. We had to be ourselves again,” he affirmed.
The statements of the Argentine captain have had wide international repercussions, revealing little-known details of his career and personal reflections off the field.
In an interview given to the podcast Miro de Atrás, the Argentinian captain explained that, having been trained in the lower categories of Barcelona from a very young age, there was the option of wearing the Spanish shirt.
“At some point, something from Spain reached me. I was already playing for Barcelona and they sort of hinted at it. It was normal at that time. I went to Barcelona very young, I did a large part of the youth system there and there was a possibility. It could have happened, but my desire was always Argentina,” he said.
