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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Spain won back-to-back Euros and the World Cup</li><li>Messi and Barca equally laden with trophies</li><li>Took Messi some time to win at international level</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi for Spain? Xavi explains how Barcelona GOAT would have made national team more dominant if he declined Argentina call-up

<p>Xavi remains a huge fan of his former Barcelona team-mate Messi, who finally capped his glittering career with a World Cup victory in 2022. Spain won the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/its-official-spains-golden-era-is-over/1encn5yhe5ydf12tit5lplvrdg" target="_blank">European Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as the World Cup in 2010</a>, but Xavi believes the Inter Miami star could have made a significant difference.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Between 2008 and 2012, Barcelona won La Liga three times, as well as the Champions League twice. In that time, Messi scored 211 goals as he became perhaps the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/goat-mindset-lionel-messi-never-bothered-attitude-great-argentine-superstar-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-cup/blta1e754191ebc3e7f" target="_blank">greatest player to ever play the game</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Xavi told <a href="https://www.football-espana.net/2024/12/07/xavi-hernandez-lionel-messi-added-to-spain" target="_blank">Relevo</a>:  “Perhaps the difference between Barca and Spain was Messi. We didn’t have Leo in the national team, we didn’t have such a differential player, we had to rely more on the team as a whole.</p><p>“But we also achieved success – Euros, World Cup, Euros. And at Barca we had a very good generation that achieved everything.”</p>

WHAT XAVI SAID

<p>The MLS season is over for Inter Miami, having suffered a shock play-off defeat to Atlanta United, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-star-lionel-messi-named-mls-mvp-after-leading-herons-to-supporters-shield-win/bltc0f6f04cfac3b679" target="_blank">Messi has been named the division's MVP</a> and is enjoying a well-earned break before competitive action resumes in 2025.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi for Spain? Xavi explains how Barcelona GOAT would have made national team more dominant if he declined Argentina call-up | Goal.com Nigeria

Xavi believes the difference between Barcelona and Spain was Lionel Messi during their respective golden periods. 