By Boluwatife Ezekiel Olaleye
Should world football’s governing body FIFA recognise Catalonia as a separate state to Spain following their independence declaration, the region could boast some of the finest footballing talent on the planet, including Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi.
Even though the 30-year-old has been capped well over 100 times by the South American country, he would still have right to represent the newly-formed area in the sport.
National Daily reports this is due to a loophole in the footballing organisation’s rules, which means because the ridiculously talented attacker did not have the choice to be Catalan when opting to represent the twice World Cup-winners, he would be able to switch allegiances.
However, should Messi, who moved to Barcelona at the age of 14, continue to be fielded for Argentina just once after FIFA’s acceptance of the solitary state, he would no longer possess that option.
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not the only one who could swap to the red and yellow stripes of Catalonia, with a whole host of others also to be given the choice should FIFA endorse the birth of the region as a separate footballing entity to Spain.
Barca centre-back Gerrard Pique, who would adore the opportunity to ditch La Roja, is another who could also be joined by Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Hector Bellerin and Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra – leaving a national starting XI that would challenge any in the world.
However, that is not all, with Euro 2012-winner Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal and Gerard Deulofeu all also having the option.
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