Icardi: I could have played for Spain or Italy, but I always wanted Argentina Argentina Inter striker opens up on his desire to play for the Albiceleste

Inter captain Mauro Icardi confessed that he had offers to play for Spain and Italy but his desire was always to represent the colours of Argentina.

The Rosario born striker, who signed for Inter in 2013, has surpassed 100 goals in Serie A and is in lethal form despite not getting called-up for Argentina's upcoming friendlies against Italy and Spain.

"There was the possibility of going to the Italian national team," Icardi said in an interview with the Italian magazine Rivista Undici.

"They called me for the Under-21 and I fought with Sampdoria (his previous team) because I did not want to go, I wanted Argentina.

"The Spaniards also tried, they called my father, but I always wanted Argentina, and I got it, it has been difficult, but I reached my goal."

Icardi joined Barcelona's youth side at the age of 15 but left the Catalans in 2011 to sign for Unione Calcio Sampdoria, where he made his debut in the Serie A.

"I decided to go to Italy because I was convinced I could do better than in Spain," the player admitted.

"I was immediately given the chance to play at high levels and that was my goal."

The Argentine striker also revealed his dream of playing alongside national teammate Lionel Messi at the Italian club.

"I think that playing with the best of the world here at Inter would be a dream and I am talking about [Lionel] Messi, obviously," Icardi confessed.

"But he is linked to Barcelona and I think it is a dream that is almost impossible."