Today it seems impossible to imagine Lionel Messi wearing a jersey other than that of the Argentine National Team. However, more than two decades ago, the fate of the world champion captain was very close to changing forever. While the Royal Spanish Football Federation was accelerating his naturalization, the AFA launched a true race-against-time operation to ensure that the Rosario native would defend the blue and white colors.
It all began in 2003. The Argentine U-17 team, coached by Hugo Tocalli, had just won the South American Championship and was finalizing details to compete in the World Cup in Finland when Claudio Vivas handed him a video of a young footballer from Rosario who was shining in Barcelona’s youth system. «Here, they gave me this video of a kid from Rosario who is in Spain. See if you like him,» he said. According to Tocalli himself, he only needed to see four plays to understand that he was facing an extraordinary talent. His speed, ball control, and ease at leaving opponents behind convinced him immediately. However, the squad for the World Cup was already set and there was no room to call him up.
The story took a new turn during the youth World Cup. After Argentina’s elimination in the semifinals, the coaching staff ran into the Spanish delegation at the hotel. There, a cook who knew the football environment spoke to them again about that Rosario kid who was dazzling in Barcelona and warned them that Spain was working to naturalize him. Meanwhile, the Spanish Federation was doing everything possible to convince Messi. However, the player himself had made a decision: he wanted to represent the Argentine National Team.
Back in Buenos Aires, an operation as unusual as it was urgent began. In an era without social media or instant messaging, Argentine officials did not even have a contact number for the Messi family. One of the collaborators traveled to a phone center in Monte Grande, took a Rosario phone book, tore out the pages where the surname «Messi» appeared, and began calling each subscriber one by one. After several attempts, Lionel’s grandmother answered, who finally gave them the family’s phone number in Spain. When they managed to speak with Jorge Messi, the relief was immediate. «Finally they call me. My son is dying to play for the Argentine National Team and no one was calling him,» recalled the captain’s father.
With the contact established, the AFA accelerated the timeline. Julio Grondona spoke directly with the president of Barcelona and organized a friendly so that Messi could play an official match with the Argentine youth team and become definitively tied to the national team. The match was played on June 29, 2004, at the Argentinos Juniors stadium. Wearing the number 17 jersey, Messi scored a goal in the 8-0 rout and also assisted Pablo Vitti and Federico Almerares, taking the first step in a story that would change Argentine football forever.
Shortly after came his debut with the Senior National Team, coached by José Pekerman. That debut against Hungary was as memorable as it was unusual: he came on in the second half and was sent off just 45 seconds later. Also in that squad was Lionel Scaloni, who years later would become the coach who led Messi to the ultimate glory.
More than two decades after that operation to prevent him from playing for Spain, the Rosario native faces another World Cup final with the Argentine National Team. With a legacy that includes the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa Américas, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2005 U-20 World Cup, and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Messi once again goes for another golden page in his career.
Watch the 2026 World Cup in the best quality
These are the most sought-after TVs to watch the National Team. All with 12 interest-free installments:
- Smart TV Kanji 32″ LED HD – From $120,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-89J3)
- Smart TV LG 43″ 4K UHD WebOS – From $450,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-WXW9)
- Smart TV Samsung 50″ 4K UHD – From $600,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-VVE0)
Approximate prices. 12 interest-free installments subject to each seller. Search for the codes on Mercado Libre.
Para mí esto es argentino carajo!!! La AFA salvándole el culo a Messi de esos culiaos españoles que se lo querían afanar. Me parece que quieren todo lo nuestro, la guita y los pibes. Viva la patria y la celeste y blanca. MESSI ES ARGENTINO, PUNTO.
increible la afa salvandonos el orto con una guia telefonica jajajaj mientras los cipayos de españa se querian llevar al mejor para mi menos mal que no se fue a ese pais de mierda lleno de fachas viva la seleccion viva el pueblo carajo