Video: Messi as a Child Playing in Argentina

Lionel Messi has struck fear into opposing players throughout his career and footage of the Argentine legend as a youngster proves he was always destined for greatness. Watch the video below:

Messi, who turns 35 on Friday 24th of June, is undeniably the greatest footballer in history, having won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times. Below is a video of the legend as a youngster putting fear into his peers in his humble years.

The Paris Saint-Germain star has scored an otherworldly 769 goals in 974 games in club football, the vast majority of which came during his unforgettable 17-year spell with Barcelona.

For Messi, it all began back in his native Argentina with his local side Grandoli. He would later join Newell’s Old Boys, where he was filmed bamboozling the opposition at the age of just seven.

Messi’s quick turn of pace, excellent first touch and deadly finishing skills are all evident in the clip.

The first man to coach Messi, Salvador Aparicio, once broke down in tears when recalling the first time he saw the Argentine play.

“Messi and his family once came to watch the match,” Aparicio said.

“His brothers played here. I was one player short, so I told Messi to come to play.

“He was small. Very small. First time the ball came to him and basically hit his left leg.

“The second time, he controlled the ball and started running across the pitch. He dribbled past everyone crossing his path.”

“He scored six or seven goals in every match… He was supernatural, simply put.”