LIONEL MESSI ALMOST PLAYED FOR SPAIN: THE FORGOTTEN STORY OF A VHS TAPE

FIFA World Cup 2026 final carries added significance for Lionel Messi, who came close to committing his international future to Spain during the early years of his career.

Lionel Messi in action
© AFP

After more than a month of intense competition, Argentina and Spain have emerged as the two finalists of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament, which began with a record 48 teams, has now come down to a highly anticipated title clash between the two football giants, set to take place on Monday in New Jersey. For Argentina captain Lionel Messi, the occasion marks a full-circle moment. The 39-year-old is set to play in his third World Cup final during his sixth appearance at the tournament. However, this final carries added significance for Messi, who came close to committing his international future to Spain during the early years of his career.

In September 2001, Messi arrived in Barcelona at the age of 13 to join the club's famed La Masia academy. He would go on to spend 21 years with the Catalan giants, developing into one of the greatest footballers of all time before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Yet despite spending most of his formative and professional years in Spain, Messi's dream was always to represent Argentina on the international stage-a decision that ultimately shaped one of the most iconic careers in football history.

Former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who handed Lionel Messi his senior international debut, once revealed that he first learned about the youngster from members of Argentina's coaching staff during the 2003 U-17 World Cup.

Back in 2002, then-national team coach Marcelo Bielsa and his assistant Claudio Vivas came across information about the Barcelona prodigy while visiting Spain to monitor several Argentine internationals playing there.

However, the story took a different turn when one of Messi's early representatives, Horacio Gaggiolo, shared an incident about the VHS tapes.

"That was [Messi's dad] Jorge's idea. He told me: "Horacio, the Argentine national team is coming to Barcelona, can you get them some footage of Leo?" Leo wasn't well known in Argentina. We had a video that I was given by Barca with some plays, and I went to the Hotel Princesa Sofia in Barcelona where they were staying. I asked for Vivas, who was Bielsa's assistant," Gaggiolo told ESPN, as quoted by Hindustan Times. 

"When Marcelo renewed his contract with Argentina, we toured Europe to explain to the players why we had renewed after the South Korea-Japan World Cup [in 2002]. During that stop in Barcelona, an Argentine man approached me," he added.

"I told Marcelo about him and he asked: "Does he play well?" I said: "He doesn't just play well, he's incredible!" "Let me see, play a little bit of it," Marcelo said, adding as I played the tape: "But play it at normal speed, you can't see anything like this." I said: "Marcelo, it is at normal speed, I just pressed play." He said: "But this kid is unbelievable!"

However, by the time the video footage reached Hugo Tocalli, Argentina's youth team coach, preparations for the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup were already at an advanced stage. As a result, Tocalli chose not to include Messi in the squad. Argentina eventually suffered a 3-2 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. Following the tournament, a member of Spain's team staff told Tocalli that Argentina would likely have beaten Spain had Messi featured in their lineup.

How Messi played for Argentina?

Upon returning to Argentina, Tocalli set out to bring Messi into the national team setup. A friendly match was quickly organized to assess the young forward, but the circumstances surrounding it were rather unusual. With little time available to make arrangements, the match even had an Argentine referee officiating it, as FIFA regulations required a recognized match official for the game.

Horacio Gaggioli, revealed that there was significant interest from Spain regarding the youngster's international future.

"I received many calls asking whether he could play for the Spanish national team," Gaggioli recalled. "I would tell them that the decision ultimately rested with Leo and his family. There was no question about his ability, but he had to choose."

Despite the speculation, Messi's stance remained unwavering. According to Gaggioli, the football icon was always determined to represent Argentina while continuing his club career with Barcelona.

- Tushar Mamgaain

SOUTHAMPTON CHARGED BY EFL AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF SPYING ON MIDDLESBROUGH

 

The Riverside Stadium hosts the first leg between Middlesbrough and Southampton

Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after being accused of spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of the two clubs' Championship play-off semi-final.

The English Football League had received a complaint from Middlesbrough over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone connected to Southampton during a training session ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

The incident had revived memories of an incident when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for spying on a Derby training session before a match between the two clubs in January 2019.

An EFL statement on Friday night read: "Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"The charges relate to the following Regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

"The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing. "

Saints responded to the EFL charge, saying: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process.

"Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time."

Middlesbrough have been approached for comment by the Press Association.

Hull and Millwall met on Friday night in the other Championship semi-final, with the first leg being drawn 0-0.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic said he was completely unaware of the 'spygate' story surrounding Southampton.

"Why do you need to spy? We played already," Jakirovic said.

"I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise (with?) He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?"

Millwall manager Alex Neil said: "I would certainly comment on it if somebody from Hull was hiding in a tree videoing our training. Well, I might not have caught him yet!

"It doesn’t affect us, so I’m not going to get involved in that conversation."

The alleged incident has revived memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its ‘good faith’ regulations in 2019.

Then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to the Derby training ground before a match between the two clubs.

Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.

- RTE | 100