What if: Lionel Messi played for Spain instead of Argentina

Modified Jan 22, 2017 12:57 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 26: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on before the game winning penalty kick is made during the Copa America Centenario Championship match at MetLife Stadium on June 26, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) — *Would we have seen Messi like this?*

#3 Diego Maradona would still be the only God for Argentinians

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 09: Diego Maradona reacts during a FIFA Team Friendly Football Match at the FIFA headquarters prior to The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 on January 9, 2017 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images) — Maradona would be unanimously considered as the greatest Argentinian footballer ever

Diego Maradona in Argentina is a demi-God. However, when the question arises as to who is the greatest footballer that Argentina has ever produced, the nation gets divided. One-half believes that Maradona indeed is the greatest ever. The other half, however, vouch for Messi.

The fact that both have similar attributes do not help the debate. And although they are from two different generations, people draw comparisons every now and then.

Maradona had almost single-handedly led Argentina to the World Cup trophy in 1986 and led them to the finals of another in 1990. Given that Messi is yet to win a major international trophy, one might be led to believe that Maradona is indeed the greatest in the country. However, one should not forget that Argentina didn't lose 4 finals because of Messi, they played 4 finals because of him.

Without Messi playing for Argentina, Maradona would still have been the cynosure of all eyes in the country and Argentinians would still be whining about the times when Diego Maradona won them the World Cup.

Edited by Staff Editor