Messi could have played for Spain but chose Argentina instead and became their all time top scorer, missing out on the chance to win the 2010 World Cup.
Messi idolized fellow Argentine player Pablo Aimar. Aimar later gave Messi his shirt after a game in 2004. Aimar was also part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning team.
Messi and Bojan are fourth cousins, ancestors from 19th-century Catalonia, one moved to Argentina.
Lionel Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as highest Argentine goalscorer in World Cup with 13 goals.
Messi debuted for Argentina in 2006 World Cup at 18 years, 11 months, and 23 days, becoming youngest player.