28-year-old Messi has played in 100 games for Argentina, and is ranked second in the fifth player in team history and scorer in team history. But do you know that Messi almost played for Spain 11 years ago! If it weren't for the late Argentine Football Association chairman Grondona, Messi would not have put on the Argentine jersey.
The Spanish Daily Sports Daily revealed this past. 11 years ago, Messi was still a 17-year-old child, but in the Barcelona youth team, Messi has already existed like a god. Of course, Spain wants to naturalize Messi, and fleas are also qualified to be selected for the Spanish youth team. At this time, Ugo Tokali, then the head coach of Argentina U20, quickly contacted Argentina Football Association Chairman Grondona.
Ugo Tokali showed Messi's game in La Macia to Grondona. Grondona immediately realized the greatness of Messi and began to collect Messi's information. Grondona discovered that Spain's U17 intends to recruit Messi into the team. Grondona tried every means to let Messi play for Argentina as soon as possible, so that Spain would have no chance.
"We must take action immediately and organize a game that will be recognized by FIFA!" Grondona said. On June 29, 2004, Argentina U20 played against Paraguay U20 youth team. 17-year-old Messi accepted Argentina's call without hesitation and represented Argentina's national youth team for the first time. For Argentina, this game is not important at all. What is important is that Messi played for Argentina. On a cold night in Buenos Aires, Messi came on as a substitute in the second half and scored a wonderful goal.
This game prepared for Messi was very hasty and there was no time to promote it. 11 years later, a fan who watched Argentina U20 against Paraguay U20 recalled: "We didn't know about this game at all, but we heard the radio broadcast that there was an Argentina youth team game, so we came to the stadium. In fact, we didn't know that this game was so important!"
Through this friendly match, the Argentine Football Association established Messi's future. The 17-year-old Messi belonged to Argentina and would not belong to Spain. Messi has always been proud of wearing a blue and white shirt. Although there has been no championship in the Argentina competition in 22 years, if Spain had chosen to be the first, Messi might have already won the World Cup and European Cup. But Messi expressed no regrets: "I love Argentina. Only the color of the Argentine jersey can bring me infectiousness. I want to make Argentines happy."
(Editor: Li Zheng)
