'God chose me' - Lionel Messi admits his footballing superpowers are a 'gift' as Argentina superstar 'did nothing to become the player I already was when I was little'

The World Cup winner could never have dreamt of scaling such heights when kicking a ball for the first time in his native Rosario. Even when leaving his homeland for Barcelona at the age of 13, a standing among the all-time greats will have felt out of reach.

Messi has, however, become an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player in history – with 44 trophies to his name – and has told Juan Pablo Varsky of reaching the very top of his chosen profession: “It's very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it, I did everything possible to squeeze the most out of it. The truth is, although I did many things, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”

Messi’s potential was spotted early, in the youth system of Newell’s Old Boys, and he added on realising that he was different from many other starry-eyed hopefuls: “From what was being said, I was always different. People came to watch me. I didn't realise it, but I began to understand that as I grew older. I don't really know the moment when I realised it. When I was 3 or 4 years old, I was not aware of the World Cup and all the titles that were being played. I simply played because I loved the ball... it was my hobby. I spent all the time kicking [the ball] and looking for someone to play with. I was born with it. I loved soccer, like most Argentines, from a very young age. I always tried to have fun, like I did from day one.”

On the back of a record-shattering spell at Barcelona, Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain 2021. He is now on the books of MLS side Inter Miami – having been lured to the United States by Manchester United and England legend David Beckham – while another Copa America crown with Argentina is currently in his sights.