Former Argentina coach Jose Pokerman disclosed that Lionel Messi could have played for Spain at the U20 level. He said that he urged the legend to play for Argentina and snub La Roja.
Lionel Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 under the coaching of Jose Pekerman. Meanwhile, he played his first game for La Albiceleste at the U20 level against Paraguay in 2004. However, he could have represented for Spain U20 side instead.
During the Ole Summit 2025, Pekerman revealed how Messi ended up with the Argentina U20 side, saying:
“In Spain, we had heard about Lionel from an Under-17 tournament in Finland. The Spanish coaching staff told us that if they had had that ‘kid’, they would have won it. But since the paperwork was already in place for him to play in the Under-20 World Cup for Spain, which would have blocked him, we had to hurry. Tocalli told me he had the team ready for the South American Under-20 Championship, which was starting in a month.”
Pekerman added:
“I spoke to the president, told him about it, said he wanted to come, and that we had to send the call-up to Barcelona. I told Tocalli that I was impressed, that he was the player of the future. I couldn’t be wrong, he was the new star of Argentine football a blessing."
“I told him (Tocalli) that I didn’t want him to play if it wasn’t necessary, just to play a friendly match and sign the form to send to FIFA. And that was it, no more Spain. I spoke with Julio (Grondona) to ask him to give Messi his debut, but I set one condition: the opponent could be anyone, I didn’t care; the match had to be played at Argentinos’ stadium. If Diego had played there…”
Lionel Messi is considered as Argentina's biggest-player ever, even beyond Diego Maradona. He has scored 115 goals and provided 64 assists in 196 games, winning one FIFA World Cup, among other honors.
Lionel Messi on his participation at FIFA World Cup 2026
Lionel Messi noted how the MLS season is different from European Leagues, as he has to maintain his fitness during the off-season. The Argentine icon told Spanish outlet:
"Yes, obviously yes, it is a special World Cup, it is special to play with the national team and more important, official competitions and more what a World Cup means and after having won it too. But a little bit what I was telling you, I don't want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel good physically, be sure that I can help and contribute things to the group, to the squad."
He added:
"Our season is different from Europe. We are going to have a preseason involved, few games until we reach the World Cup date and see on a day-to-day basis if I really feel good physically to be the way I would like to be and be able to participate. But obviously aware that it is a World Cup and it is special and that the World Cup is the biggest thing there is in terms of competition. So excited but carrying it with the day to day."
Lionel Messi has won every single thing in his illustrious career with 46 trophies. Success in the World Cup was missing in his career, but he finally won the biggest trophy in world football in 2022.