What if Messi played for Spain? Chances of winning the 2010 and 2014 World Cup

Lionel Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players in football history, has had a long journey with the Argentina national team. However, if Messi had chosen to play for Spain instead of Argentina, could his international career have gone in a different direction? According to former defender Mariano Pernia, with his talent and peak form, Messi could have certainly won many World Cup titles and other achievements with the Spanish national team. The following article will explore with Kingsoccertips what if messi played for spain and the factors that influenced his decision.

What if Messi played for Spain? Chances of winning the 2010 and 2014 World Cups

According to Mariano Pernia, if Messi played for Spain instead of Argentina, he would have definitely won two more World Cups in his career. Spain won the 2010 World Cup, and with Messi in the squad, that victory would have been even more convincing. Then, at the 2014 World Cup, when Messi maintained his excellent form, the chances of Spain winning the title were even higher, and according to Pernia, they would have been the champions.

Form and synchronization with Spain

Spain in the 2010-2014 period had a classy squad, with players like Xavi, Iniesta, and Villa, and a typical tiki-taka style of play. Messi, with his outstanding creativity and ball coordination, could have fit perfectly into this squad. Playing with an all-star team will be an opportunity for Messi to shine for Spain, helping the team continue to maintain its position as the world’s number one team.

Messi and the tiki-taka style of play

Spain’s tiki-taka style of play is very suitable for Messi’s style. He is not only a goalscorer but also a coordinator and creator in every attack. If he plays for Spain, Messi will have the opportunity to show his qualities in a cohesive team system and perfect tactics. This will help him not only improve his personal career but also help Spain maintain its dominance in international tournaments.

Discover the trusted football betting site you should join.

Pressure and unevenness in Argentina

When playing for Argentina, Messi had to face a lot of pressure and unevenness in the squad. Argentina did not always have the right tactics and formation to support their “superstar”. The failures at the 2006, 2010, 2014 World Cup and the 2007, 2015, 2016 Copa America are proof of the instability of the Argentina national team when it could not provide Messi with a solid foundation. The constant criticism and pressure from the media and fans also made it difficult for Messi to achieve success with the national team.

Lack of tactical support from Argentina

For many years, Argentina lacked a clear strategy and a balanced squad to support Messi. Although Messi always shined individually, the team lacked a connection between the players and suitable tactics, leading to unfortunate failures. This made Messi always have to shoulder too much burden in every match, a situation that was not ideal when compared to a strong and balanced Spanish squad.

Criticism and Pressure on Messi

Messi has been heavily criticized by fans and the media after his failures in the World Cup and Copa America. Argentine football fans have often blamed Messi for not being able to help the team win, despite being the most influential player in the team. However, Messi’s decision to continue to contribute to Argentina shows that he is not only a talented player but also a person with a strong spirit and love for the team.

Messi and the decision to choose Argentina

Messi came to Spain when he was only 13 years old, and during his formative years at Barcelona, ​​he could have chosen to play for the Spanish national team. However, despite being able to play for a team as successful as Spain, Messi still decided to stick with Argentina, his homeland. This decision was not only based on personal feelings but also showed his loyalty and desire to contribute to the national team.

Loyalty to Argentina

Messi always puts his love for his homeland first. Although Spain was where he grew up and could easily have a place in the squad, Messi still decided to return to play for the Argentine national team. This shows that he is a player with high morals, always attached to his roots and does not ignore his responsibility to his country for personal gain.

A decision of personal significance

Deciding to play for Argentina, while not always easy, was a meaningful choice for Messi. He not only wanted to contribute to his country but also wanted to affirm that love and national pride were the driving force that helped him overcome all the difficulties in his career.

In Summary

What if Messi played for Spain, he would have had a different international career, with World Cup titles with the Spanish team. However, Messi’s decision to stick with Argentina was a sentimental and personal choice. Despite Argentina’s many difficulties, Messi eventually achieved great success and proved that perseverance and loyalty can bring worthy sweet fruits. Certainly, no matter which team he plays for, Messi is still one of the best players in the history of world football.

See more: Ronaldo and Messi on the same team: An unprecedented historical moment