FIFA, "Commentary on the Rules Governing Eligibility"

Governing-body regulation or decision

FIFA, "Commentary on the Rules Governing Eligibility"

FIFA (digitalhub)

Partially retrievedenIndependent source

Supports

Disputed interpretation: The AFA capped Messi in a 2004 friendly in order to legally block Spain.
The claim that a 2004 youth friendly legally tied Messi to Argentina and blocked Spain — disputed interpretation resting on a false legal premise

Confirms that eligibility turned at first instance on nationality and that only official-competition appearances tied a player. The verbatim 2004 RGAS article text was NOT retrieved by Phase 1; the Phase 8 synthesis records that Phase 2 subsequently retrieved Article 15 verbatim.