Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Superstar Could Have Been an Australian Legend

• Lionel Messi could have been playing for Australia rather than Argentina
• Messi's parents were on the verge of leaving the country's troubles behind
• The family stayed put and the star was born in the Argentine city of Rosario

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi could have been a Socceroo, donning the national colours of Australia, if his parents had relocated to the country.

Messi’s father Jorge had seriously considered moving his family to Australia following Argentina's economic crisis of the 1980s, before the Paris Saint-Germain star was born.

According to the Daily Mail, Messi and his family relocated to the Spanish city of Barcelona in 2001, and the rest is history. He quickly forged a reputation as one of the greatest players of his generation.

The 35-year-old joined La Blaugrana at the age of eleven, and was with the Catalan giants until the summer of 2021 when he joined PSG.

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Messi has since gone on to become one of the greatest players to have ever laced up the boots, with his seven Ballon d'Or awards being the most of any footballer in history.

PSG offering Messi new contract

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to offer Messi a new contract, to keep him from going to the American MLS when his current deal expires next summer, Pulse Sports reports.

The 35-year-old superstar joined PSG on a two-year deal in August 2021, with the initial contract including the option of an extra year.

Messi has a range of possibilities if he decides to leave PSG next summer, but there is no sign he has formally chosen that path, as it appears he will wait until after the World Cup to make a final decision.

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Messi: Maradona will be happy

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi believes Argentina legend Diego Maradona will be 'super happy' with him, on the back of inspiring his side to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup.

In the process of guiding La Albiceleste to the last 16, Messi became the most-capped Argentina player in World Cup history, surpassing Maradona in the process.

Messi was tied on 21 games at the Mundial with the legend. However, the 35-year-old went a step further in his country's final group game against Poland.