Lionel Messi will be Argentina's talisman against World Cup rivals Australia on Saturday - but it could've been the other way around.
Messi's dad reportedly considered moving his family Down Under before the Paris Saint-Germain forward, 35, was born. Jorge Messi decided against the move - and ultimately stopped his talented son from becoming an Aussie.
Australians will be hoping they don't come to regret Jorge's scrapped plans when they face Argentina at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday. Victory for Australia will see the underdogs reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Yet Messi and Argentina will be desperate to keep their World Cup dream alive. The tournament in Qatar is likely to be the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's last chance to win the prestigious international honour and complete his impressive trophy haul.
Messi has won 11 league titles, four Champions Leagues and the Copa America during his illustrious career, yet his story could've been very different. That's according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who is a biographer of the Barcelona legend.
Speaking to KEEPUP, Balague revealed Messi enjoyed the "perfect storm" during his formative years because he and his family made the right decisions at the right time. Yet those decisions could've been different due to economic problems in Argentina.
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The South American country's currency was losing value and there were a lack of jobs. It's claimed Jorge casually discussed the idea of emigrating to Australia with his family before deciding against it and welcoming his footballer son into the world.
Messi would later be scoutted and given a decisive trial by Barcelona when he was 12. Balague believes Messi may have struggled to have become the player he is in Australia because he had "a clear path" to greatness thanks to Argentina's rich footballing history.
Legendary figures, such as Alfredo Di Stefano and Diego Maradona, heralded form Argentina and have inspired millions of youngsters - including Messi - take up the game. If he was born in Australia, Messi would've been under more pressure to try other sports.
Football, which is more commonly knock as soccer in Australia, is not regarded as one of the country's most popular sports. Aussie rules, cricket and rugby garner more interest in Australia, with their national teams becoming world champions in the latter two sports.
If Messi did still make it as a professional, he could've found himself playing for a Premier League club due to Australians speaking English. The Argentina captain didn't have to learn another language when he left his homeland for Spain as a 12-year-old.
Ultimately, all of this is irrelevant because Jorge didn't take his family Down Under. What is important is Messi's desire to pick up an elusive World Cup winners' medal. "We have to prepare [for] the game as always," he said after Wednesday's win against Poland.
"We know it will be a very tough game as well. This World Cup - it's very even. We can't trust ourselves because we experienced it first hand. Now, we have to rest."
Australians must come to terms with the fact Messi will forever be Argentinian. Will the great man rub salt in their wounds by ending their World Cup hopes? Only time will tell.
