Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has revealed that the Spanish Football Federation attempted to persuade Lionel Messi to represent La Roja.
Messi was born in Argentina, but joined the Barcelona academy at the age of 13 and did not make his debut for his South American nation until 2005.
In theory, any professional player can be granted Spanish citizenship if they have been living in the European country for at least five years, which was the same rule that allowed Diego Costa to shun home nation Brazil and instead represent the European champions.
Del Bosque has claimed that there was an attempt to convince a young Messi to represent his adopted nation, but the player "remained steadfast" when approached about a change.
"There was an attempt but he decided to stick with the country of his birth. He remained steadfast [in his refusal to change nationality]," he told The Guardian.
"That's a phenomenon that we cannot turn our back on or pretend doesn't exist. But we don't know where the next Messi or the next [Cristiano] Ronaldo is going to come from - it could be one of those who arrives here from another country looking to make a better life."
Messi, 28, has never won a major trophy with Argentina, but has led his country into two major tournaments, in addition to scoring 49 times in 105 appearances.
Matt Law
