Last night Lionel Messi retired from the Argentinian International Football team after their loss on penalties to Chile in the final for the Copa America. That was the fourth final he has lost in nine years. 

In total he played 113 times scoring 55 goals and is their all time leading scorer. He has also won the FIFA Balon D’or on 4 occasions. 

“It’s not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion,”

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Lionel Messi, following the defeat in the 2016 Copa America Final

Messi distraught after 4th final loss in 9 years

Their is precedent for legendary Argentinian footballers switching national teams

Alfredo Di Stefano, one of the Real Madrid greats who helped them win four european cups in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s switched nationalities from Argentina to Spain. He did so at the request of the Spanish King at the time. So, if Sheikh Mohammed could build on his good relationship with Messi, we might just have a chance! 

Di Stefano Played For Both Argentina and Spain

Ok, it’s a big far fetched.. but the U.A.E are on the rise as a footballing nation and they are used to dreaming big

The UAE have played in the FIFA World Cup once, and now that they are advancing in the qualifying groups for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there is hope that this current crop of players led by star man Omar Abdulrahman can make the dream of another appearance a reality, if not for Russia, then for Qatar 2022.