Spain According to former defender Mariano Pernia, if he had chosen Spain instead of Argentina, Messi would have won the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
"I told everyone in Argentina that if Messi had chosen to play for Spain, he would have won two World Cups," Pernia told Flashscore on January 2. "Spain won the 2010 World Cup, so if Messi was in the team, they would have won it too. The next one too, because that's when he was at his best."
Messi lifts the 2022 World Cup with Argentina on December 18, 2022, in Qatar. Photo: Reuters
Pernia also believes that at some points, the Argentina team did not deserve Messi. At that time, Argentina did not have a good enough squad and tactics to be compatible with the "number 10", while some fans always criticized Messi after defeat.
Pernia also asserted that Messi is always trying to learn and develop, despite appearing to know everything. He believes that Messi improves year after year, with a foundation of humility and improvement. "Messi always adds things, and is never comfortable knowing that he is the best player in the world ," Pernia added. "That's how he became the best player in history."
Messi arrived in Spain in 2000, when he was only 13 years old. After many years living here, "El Pulga" could have played for the Spanish national team. However, he still chose Argentina and debuted in 2005. In his first four World Cups, Messi stopped in the quarter-finals in 2006, 2010, lost in the final in 2014 and lost in the round of 16 in 2018. He also finished second in the Copa America in 2007, 2015, 2016, lost in the quarter-finals in 2011 and finished third in 2019. Messi only quenched his thirst for titles with the national team when he turned 34, when he won three consecutive titles: Copa America 2021, Intercontinental Super Cup 2022 and World Cup 2022.
While Messi found success late in his career with the national team, most of his Barca teammates were soon laden with trophies with Spain. From 2008 to 2012, Spain won consecutive Euro 2008, 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.
Pernia when he played for Spain at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Photo: AFP
Pernia is the opposite case to Messi. The former Atletico full-back was born in Argentina, but played 11 times for Spain between 2006 and 2007. In 2006, Pernia and Spain reached the round of 16 of the World Cup. The former defender's father, Vicente Pernia, was a famous Argentine international from 1974 to 1977.
Thanh Quy (according to Flashscore )
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