Get your maps at the ready if you really need the answer to why the Argentine superstar is not playing at the Euro 2024
There's a good reason why Lionel Messi won't be at Euro 2024(Image credit: Getty Images)
Now look. We’re not judging you for landing here. Geography is not everybody’s strong suit, after all; a friend of mine at college, who got all As on her A-levels, thought that Florida was in California and that Argentina was adjacent to Spain.
If it were, then Lionel Messi may well be appearing at Euro 2024, but it’s not: it’s all the way down in South America, tucked away between Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. That renders them ineligible to compete at the Euros.
Argentina aren't actually in Europe. The Americas have their own continental tournament, which actually takes in two continents, North America and South America. Argentina are in fact the reigning champions after winning it in 2021, with the next edition due to kick off in the United States this month. If you’re desperate to get your Messi fix, he's in the Argentina squad, so tune in to that instead.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina are not among the exceptions to international confusion
Lionel Messi (Image credit: Getty Images)
It’s not entirely daft to think that a South American-born player might appear at the Euros, mind. Diego Costa represented Spain at Euro 2016, despite having previously earned two caps for Brazil. Because neither of those Brazil appearances were in competitive games, he was allowed to switch nationalities after becoming naturalised during his time at Atletico Madrid.
Similarly, Thiago Motta was a runner-up with Italy in 2012 having previously played one game for Brazil; and yet another Brazilian-born player, Jorginho, went one better by winning it with Italy at Euro 2020 and turns out for the Azzurri again this year.
As for other country-switchers...the Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries is also at this year’s Euros with the Netherlands despite having turned out for Aruba as a teenager, while Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio made an appearance for DR Congo in 2016.
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Closer to home is England's Declan Rice, who appeared in three friendlies for the Republic of Ireland in 2018 before switching allegiances the following year.
Nor is it unknown for countries to compete in confederations that defy their geography. Australia have competed as part of Asia since 2006, while French Guyana, Guyana and Suriname all play in the Caribbean section of CONCACAF despite being located in the South American continental landmass.
Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
