It’s a question that might pop into the minds of even seasoned football enthusiasts: Will Lionel Messi grace Euro 2024 with his unparalleled talent? If you’re wondering whether you’ll see the Argentinian maestro dazzling in the European Championship, let’s clear up any confusion right away.
The answer, unequivocally, is no. Lionel Messi will not be playing in Euro 2024.
To understand why, we need a quick geography lesson. Argentina, Messi’s home nation, is situated in South America, not Europe. South America has its own prestigious continental tournament, the Copa América. Think of it as the Euros, but for South American nations. Argentina are proud members of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, and therefore compete in Copa América, not the UEFA-run European Championship.
Lionel Messi celebrating with the World Cup trophy, highlighting his Argentinian heritage and ineligibility for Euro 2024
While it might seem unusual to some, the world of international football isn’t always strictly confined by geographical borders when it comes to player eligibility. Historically, there have been instances of players representing European nations despite being born in South America or having played for South American youth teams.
Take, for example, Diego Costa. Despite earning two caps for Brazil in friendly matches, the striker later represented Spain at Euro 2016 after gaining Spanish citizenship during his time with Atlético Madrid. FIFA rules allow players to switch national teams under specific conditions, particularly if their initial appearances were in non-competitive fixtures.
Similarly, Thiago Motta, another Brazilian-born player, played for Italy at Euro 2012, even reaching the final. Jorginho, also born in Brazil, went a step further, winning Euro 2020 with Italy and is set to represent the Azzurri again. These examples illustrate how players can, through naturalization and fulfilling eligibility criteria, play for European national teams despite their origins.
Furthermore, the Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries is participating in Euro 2024, even after representing Aruba at a younger age. Belgium’s Dodi Lukebakio also played for DR Congo before switching to the Belgian national team. England’s own Declan Rice played in friendlies for the Republic of Ireland before declaring for England. These cases showcase the complexities of international football eligibility and the pathways players can take.
It’s also worth noting that confederation membership isn’t always dictated by geography. Australia, for instance, has been part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) since 2006. Similarly, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, despite being geographically located on the South American continent, participate in the Caribbean zone of CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football).
However, despite these interesting exceptions and nuances in international football, Lionel Messi’s situation is straightforward. He is Argentinian, Argentina competes in Copa América as part of CONMEBOL, and therefore, he is not eligible for Euro 2024.
For fans eager to watch Messi in action this summer, the Copa América 2024, hosted in the United States, is the tournament to tune into. Messi is indeed part of the Argentina squad, ready to lead his team in their continental quest. So, while Euro 2024 will showcase Europe’s finest, Lionel Messi’s brilliance will be on display in the Copa América, representing Argentina in their pursuit of South American glory.
