Lionel Messi vs. Spain: The best player against the best team

Lionel Messi's path to international stardom with Argentina nearly took a different turn due to an overlooked highlight tape. In 2003, Messi's family sent a video to the Argentine Football Association, hoping he would play in the U17 World Cup in Finland. However, the tape apparently went unnoticed, and Argentina competed in the tournament without him.

During the U17 World Cup, Argentina faced Spain in a semifinal match and lost 3-2 in extra time. Coincidentally, both teams were staying at the same hotel in Helsinki. After the match, Argentine coach Hugo Tocalli approached the Spanish players to congratulate them. One young Spanish player, Cesc Fàbregas, who was Messi's teammate at Barcelona, reportedly told Tocalli, "You lost because the best player didn't play with you."

This encounter sparked Tocalli's interest. Upon returning to Argentina, he sought out the highlight tape and then showed it to Marcelo Bielsa, who was then the head coach of the senior national team. The story goes that Bielsa was so impressed by Messi's speed and skill that he requested the tape be played at normal speed, not fast-forward. This led to swift action by the federation to secure Messi's commitment to Argentina.

Spain, recognizing Messi's talent, actively pursued him, even as he obtained Spanish citizenship in 2005. However, Messi's deep connection to his homeland never wavered. Despite living in Spain for over two decades and having his children born there, he remained steadfast in his desire to represent Argentina, a loyalty that defined his illustrious international career.

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You lost because the best player didn't play with you.