Australia are Lionel Messi and Argentina's opponents in the World Cup, but when visiting the gold coast the football superstar revealed he almost moved to the country.
The diminutive playmaker is Argentina's captain and record goalscorer, with 93 goals in 168 appearances.
When visiting the country, Messi also commented: "I loved rugby. I was scrum-half, but it was always football for me. History might have been different if I was born here,"
Guillem Balague, who wrote the book 'Messi: The Definitive Biography', the 35-year-old was almost a 'Socceroo'. He liked rugby when he was young too.
"In Argentina there was a crisis. Money was losing value. there were no jobs. And Argentinians have long gone to Europe or elsewhere as emigrants,
"It must have been a casual conversation that [father] Jorge Messi had before Leo was born that he had with somebody that came across with the idea of going to Australia to live. Why not?
"When you get in that mind frame in which the solution to your problems is to be abroad, it doesn't really matter where you go. And they knew people that had come to Australia.
"Finally, the decision was to stay put. Leo was born. When he's 12, he eventually gets a trial to Barcelona."
Lionel Messi facts:
- Messi shares his birthplace with the Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevera.
- One of Messi’s nicknames is “The Flea” due to his speed and agility
- His father Jorge Messi was a steelworker, and he also coached the local youth football team.
- At a tender age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency which was stopping his normal growth rate
- His 2005 international debut lasted 47 seconds when he received a red card after coming on as a substitute
5 players you didn’t know swapped nations, including Martin Johnson
The practice of professional rugby players changing their nationality (in most cases from their nation of birth) to play international football has been in action for many decades now.
This list includes eight interesting cases of players who have represented more than one country.
#1. Martin Johnson - England/New Zealand
As a player, he famously led England to glory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and also captained the British & Irish Lions in 1997 and 2001 - the only player to have ever led the elite tourists on two occasions.
However, what you might not know is that All Blacks legend Colin Meads invited the raw but promising teenager to New Zealand to play for the King Country province in 1989 and Johnson, who took up the offer, would go on to be capped by New Zealand U21s.
#2. Pat Lam - Samoa/New Zealand
New Zealand's loss was Samoa's gain in the case of back-rower Pat Lam, as he traded All Black for the blue of the Islanders after failing to win a Test cap. He played only once for the All Blacks, in a 1991 tour game, but won 34 caps for Samoa and played at three World Cups.
He played only once for the All Blacks, in a 1991 tour game, but won 34 caps for Samoa and played at three World Cups.
Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam carries out post match interviews after the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears at Welford Road on June 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
2. Billy & Mako Vunipola (Wales)
Mako Vunipola, far-right in the back row, and Billy, fourth right, played for East Wales schools alongside Wales’s Taulupe Faletau. However, after attending English schools they made the switch to represent England. Billy even once admitted he wanted Australia to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
4. Va'aiga Tuigamala - New Zealand/Samoa
Widely known as 'Inga the Winger', Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala is also known as being one of the most powerful, hard-hitting and versatile backs ever to play the game.
As well as representing the All Blacks at international level, Inga also played for Samoa in both rugby union and rugby league both at centre and on the wing. As an All Black, he played in 19 tests (scoring 5 tries) and 20 non-international matches (scoring 9 tries).
5. Brad Barritt - South Africa/England
Despite playing for the emerging Springboks, South African-born Brad Barritt went onto represent England after moving to Saracens.
England and (Saracens) Brad Barritt - Photo mandatory by-line:Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 02/02/2013 - SPORT - RBS 6 NATIONS - RUGBY - England v Scotland, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, England
