Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina this Tuesday against Benin at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. This match marks the conclusion of an international career spanning more than twenty years, effectively closing a chapter that transformed from administrative uncertainty into one of the most significant legacies in football history.
Reflecting on this journey, Argentine author and journalist Sergio Levinsky, who penned the book “Messi and Everything Else,” noted that the superstar’s path was defined by vastly different eras. He emphasized that Messi initially struggled immensely while representing his country, stating, “He went through so many moments that they’re really very different eras. At first he suffered enormously with the national team. He truly endured it.”
During his early development at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Argentina’s national football authorities were largely unaware of the teenager’s existence. The disconnect became apparent at the 2003 Under-17 World Cup in Finland. Following a 3-2 extra-time victory over Argentina in the semi-finals, Cesc Fabregas reportedly told Argentine officials: “You lost to us because we’ve got your best player at Barcelona and he’s a genius.” Hugo Tocalli, an Argentina youth coach, recalled that Spain’s head chef similarly informed him that Argentina required “a kid who plays in Barcelona” to secure tournament success. While Spain tried to persuade him to represent them, his own country barely knew he existed, messi moved to Barcelona as a teenager and.
Locating the young talent proved difficult for the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Omar Souto, an AFA employee, searched a Rosario telephone directory to reach the Messi family in Spain but mistakenly asked for “Leonardo.” According to the documentary “Messi: The Forgotten Tape,” he was promptly corrected, learning that the boy’s name was actually Lionel. Administrative errors continued, including a fax sent by the AFA to Barcelona inquiring about a player named “Mecci.” Levinsky noted that officials had incorrectly spelled his surname with a double “c,” speculating that they believed the prospect might be of Italian descent.
These early complications were eventually resolved in 2004 when Messi made his debut in the blue and white stripes during two under-20 friendly matches. His trajectory in international tournaments began modestly, notably starting on the bench during Argentina’s opening defeat at the 2005 Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, before eventually evolving into the iconic figure the sport recognizes today.
