Ever wondered what the Barcelona star's life was like before he joined Barcelona? Goal has spoken to those who knew him when he was just a prodigiously talented young boy...
It's strange to imagine a world in which Lionel Messi isn't considered one of the greatest footballers of all time - but the newly-crowned Goal 50 winner was once just a small boy with huge talent.
Goal has spoken to those who knew him best growing up - his friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors and doctor - to paint a picture of what Messi's life looked like before he moved to Barcelona to become the global superstar he is today.