Messi reveals his refusal to play for the Spanish national team

In an exclusive interview on the podcast "Miro de Atras," Argentine star Lionel Messi revealed that he received an offer early in his Barcelona career to represent the Spanish national team, but he rejected the proposal, affirming that his heart had always been with his homeland, Argentina. During the episode, hosted by Argentinians Nahuel Guzmán and Adrian Marcelo, Messi discussed significant personal milestones in his life and career, noting that Spanish officials expressed interest in including him in the national team due to his progression through the youth ranks in Spain from a young age—a common practice among young players who excel at major European clubs. Despite the temptations and opportunities presented to him, Messi emphasized that his desire to represent Argentina was clear from the outset, asserting that he had no doubts about his choice, even after moving from Rosario to Barcelona at a very young age. Messi concluded his remarks by referring to his exceptional career with the Argentine national team, which culminated in winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, to emphasize that his love and connection to his homeland was the decisive factor in his sporting choices throughout his career.