In a recent interview with Flashscore, former Atletico and Spanish international defender Mariano Pernia reflected on various aspects of his footballing career, roughly 12 years after hanging up his boots. Just like Leo Messi, Pernia was born and raised in Argentina but unlike the latter made the distinct choice to play for Spain on the international level. In 2006, he shared the dressing room with talents like Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Carles Puyol.
Pernia is convinced that, should this pack play together in the national team, Messi would have flourished.
"In Argentina, there was a time when he faced a lot of criticism. There were even calls for him not to go to the World Cup. After the Mundial we lost [in 2014], there were demands for Messi to step away, which was absurd. I used to tell everyone here: 'If Messi had chosen to play for Spain, he would already have two World Cups.' Undoubtedly, the one Spain won in 2010 with Messi would have been his as well, and the following one too because he was at his peak. That is my perspective: if Messi had chosen to play for Spain, he would have won two World Cups in the early stages of his career."
Leo was eligible to play for La Roja due to the dual citizenship he obtained early into his career at Barcelona but opted for Albicelestes anyway. He went on to win the coveted trophy in December 2022. It was worth the wait.
