Prior to his move to Barcelona, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner impressed on a trial for the Millonarios and here, Goal picks up the story with the man who wanted to sign him.
When the Superclasico clash kicks off on Saturday, fans of Boca Juniors will sing songs about Diego Maradona and poke fun at rival River Plate for missing out on the former Argentine great. But had things turned out differently, current Albiceleste icon Lionel Messi could have gone on to represent River in the famous fixture.
With his name very much etched into Barcelona folklore, it seems so unlikely now.