The Barcelona talisman had the option to switch allegiance after putting down roots in Catalunya, but never considered turning his back on Argentina
Cesc Fabregas admits it would have been “phenomenal” had Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi opted to represent Spain rather than Argentina.
Having joined the famed La Masia academy system at the age of 13, a mercurial talent was granted Spanish citizenship five years later in 2005.
He had, however, already taken the decision by that point to pledge his international allegiance to the land of his birth – having represented Argentina’s U20 side.
Fabregas, as a man to have played alongside Messi at youth and senior level at Barcelona, is fully aware of what Spain missed out on and what a close friend could have achieved as part of a generation which tasted two European Championship triumphs and a World Cup win between 2008 and 2012.