A fascinating three-year historical investigation, concluded this week, has revealed that football icon Lionel Messi could have been eligible to represent Brazil, Italy, or Spain, instead of his beloved Argentina.
The extensive inquiry into the 39-year-old’s ancestry uncovered a complex tapestry of heritage that could have seen the legendary forward don the colours of three other prominent footballing nations.
Brazilian roots uncovered
The most surprising revelation stems from Messi’s maternal lineage. Italian historian Fiorenzo Santini, who led the investigation, discovered that one of Messi’s maternal great-grandparents was born in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, at the start of the 20th century. This branch of the family, whose original maternal surname Coccettini was later altered to Cuccittini in official records, emigrated to Argentina around 1905, according to reports by Yahoo Sports.
A Spanish opportunity
Beyond his South American roots, Messi’s well-documented move from Argentina to Spain at the age of 13 presented another significant opportunity. Having spent his formative years in Barcelona, he was eligible to declare for the Spanish national team, a prospect that the Spanish Football Federation actively pursued.
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Former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque confirmed the efforts made to secure Messi’s talents. “The Federation made every effort to get Messi to play for Spain. Lionel refused because he loves his country. His arrival would have been for the best. Messi is Messi – there is only one. It would have been a dream to coach him,” del Bosque told a Spanish radio station.
Adding another layer to his intricate heritage, Messi also possesses an Italian background. This is a common thread for approximately 60% of Argentinian families, a legacy of the massive wave of Italian immigration to Argentina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The World Cup final irony
The revelations arrive with a touch of irony, particularly when considering Messi’s recent World Cup final appearance where Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain at MetLife Stadium. In that tournament, Messi delivered a stellar individual performance:
- Scored 8 goals
- Provided 4 assists
- Made 8 appearances
Despite his efforts, Argentina’s final performance saw them commit 26 fouls and fail to register a single shot on target during normal time.
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While the “what if” scenarios are compelling, Messi’s unwavering loyalty to Argentina, where he is perceived closer to a godlike figure than just a national icon, has always been clear. The investigation merely highlights the intricate tapestry of ancestry that underpins one of football’s greatest legends.
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