Lionel Messi has lived for years in Spain since relocating from Argentina due to a growth hormone disorder that was treated by Barcelona's doctors, but he still proudly represents the country of his birth in national team competitions.
"Of course I heard all of the comments: that I was not enthusiastic about playing for Argentina, that I did not sing the national anthem or that I was not committed to the shirt," said Messi. "It was painful to come to my country and for lots of people to hit out at me unfairly."
Messi felt hurt because "when I was a kid I expected to get a call from the AFA [Argentinian Football Association]. I was asked informally if I wanted to play for Spain, but I always said that I wanted to play for my national team because I love Argentina and these are the only colors I want to wear."
Diego Costa recently committed to Spain despite being born in Brazil.