Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, has revealed that he was asked to play for the Spanish national team, but insists he was only ever considering wearing the Argentina shirt.
In a new book titled 'Messi, The Patriot', the Argentina captain speaks about his career with the national team and the harsh criticism which he has received back in his home country.
He says the accusations of him not being committed to Argentina hurt him, but he never wanted to play for another country.
"When I was a kid I expected to get a call from the AFA (Argentinian Football Association). I was asked informally if I wanted to play for Spain, but I always said that I wanted to play for my national team because I love Argentina and these are the only colours I want to wear," he wrote as quoted by Marca.
"Of course I heard all of the comments: that I was not enthusiastic about playing for Argentina, that I did not sing the national anthem or that I was not committed to the shirt.
"It was painful to come to my country and for lots of people to hit out at me unfairly."
The four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner insists he would swap all his records for lifting the World Cup trophy with his home country.
"I would change all of the records to make our mark in history; to make the people of my country happy," he added.
"Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself."
Can you imagine Spain's domination of world football, if Lionel Messi would play for La Roja? Have your say in the comment section below.
