Barcelona star Lionel Messi has no regrets not playing for Spain.

Messi has endured a mixed relationship with Argentina's support throughout his international career, with the fact he left home for Catalonia aged 13 sometimes used to argue he lacks true commitment to the cause.

"The other day I was talking to a friend and he was saying, 'Look, if you had played for Spain, you would be world champion,'" Messi explained, having watched his Barça academy colleagues Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Gerard Piqué lead a glorious era for La Roja.

"But it would not have been the same. Obviously, it never crossed my mind."