Why Lionel Messi was eligible to play for Brazil before being cap-tied by Argentina

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was eligible to play for one other country before being cap-tied to the South American giants

Messi played for Argentina during the 2026 tournament this summer; however, the trajectory of his international career could have been significantly different.

A recent investigation revealed that he was eligible to play for Argentina’s fierce rivals Brazil.

A comprehensive three-year investigation conducted by Italian researcher Fiorenzo Santini has unveiled intriguing details about the lineage of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

According to findings published by Globo (via Yahoo Sports), Lionel Messi possesses maternal ancestry that could have allowed him to represent Brazil.

Santini’s research indicates that one of the 39-year-old’s maternal great-grandparents was born in Ribeirão Preto, located in the interior of São Paulo, at the turn of the 20th century.

The family later emigrated to Argentina around 1905, establishing the roots that ultimately connected the legendary forward to the three-time world champions.

The investigation also highlighted a slight alteration in the family’s heritage. It notes that upon their settlement in Rosario, the player’s maternal surname, Coccettini, was officially recorded as Cuccittini, which is the name he currently uses.

Messi has solidified his status as the greatest player in Argentina’s history, guiding the nation to secure one World Cup, two Copa America trophies, one Copa Finalissima, and one Olympic gold medal. He holds the record as the all-time scorer for the Albiceleste, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

The 39-year-old showcased an impressive performance at the recently concluded 2026 tournament, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight matches.