Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) youth coordinator Ginés Meléndez has shared details of Spain's unsuccessful attempt to recruit Lionel Messi during his early formative years at Barcelona's La Masia academy.
Speaking on the Spanish radio program Radioestadio Noche on Onda Cero following Messi's formal international retirement on October 7, 2026, Meléndez recalled discovering a 12-year-old Messi alongside teammates Gerard Piqué and Cesc Fàbregas. The Spanish federation actively sought to persuade the young Argentine prodigy to represent Spain's U-15 national team ahead of a major youth tournament in England featuring the Netherlands and Portugal. Despite utilizing peer connections through La Masia teammates, the RFEF encountered total refusal from the teenager. Meléndez recounted how Messi firmly insisted that his sole ambition was to represent Argentina. The story culminated in 2004 when Argentina U-20 coach Hugo Tocalli organized an official friendly against Paraguay on June 29, 2004, specifically to bind the 17-year-old talent to Argentina—a match where Messi scored once and provided two assists in an 8-0 victory, initiating his historic 21-year international career.
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