According to Spanish media, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has made many efforts to persuade Messi to change the national team jersey when he was playing for Barcelona's youth teams. However, the striker born in 1987 always refused because his only desire is to represent Argentina.
The most active person in the process of lobbying Messi is Gines Melendez - former coach of the Spanish youth teams. He once contributed to training the generation of players who helped "La Roja" win the 2010 World Cup, and also held the position of Director of the RFEF Coach Training School.
Melendez said he knew Messi very early through coaches at the Barcelona training academy, including Alex Garcia.
I have known Messi's situation since he was very young. Alex Garcia kept telling me about him," Melendez shared.
According to this former strategist, RFEF does not want to miss one of the most promising talents in world football. He has repeatedly asked Spanish coaches and players who are playing with Messi at Barcelona to influence him to persuade him to join the Spanish national team.
Melendez recalled that in a youth tournament held in Albacete, Messi could not play because the regulations at that time did not allow foreign players to participate. However, he still took the opportunity to persuade the Argentine player.
I told him that he should have played for Spain and stood side by side with his teammates. But Messi always wanted to wear the Argentina shirt. I have offered about three to four times, although I have never sent an official summons," he recounted.
According to La Nacion, before Argentina could soon call Messi up to the youth team, Melendez once proposed that RFEF officially summon this player to force him to make a decision about the country he would represent. However, that plan was ultimately not approved.
On July 29, 2004, Messi debuted for the Argentina U20 team in the match against Paraguay. Although the Spanish side continued to contact him afterwards, the striker born in 1987 never changed his decision.
Looking back at Messi's journey, Melendez expressed his admiration for the talent and personality of the student he had followed since he was 13 years old.
He is an extraordinary player. I have never seen anyone at that age possess such talent. Messi is also a humble guy and has built a career that will be very difficult for anyone to overcome," Melendez said.
