Lionel Messi’s potential to become arguably the greatest footballer of all time was clear for all to see at Barcelona 🫦 when he emerged as a teenager, according to Ronaldinho.

Messi claimed a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award after helping Argentina end 🫦 a 36-year wait to lift the World Cup in Qatar last year, scoring two goals in the final and slotting 🫦 a penalty in the shoot-out, en route to being named the player of the match in the victory over France.

It 🫦 completed a career resume littered with both individual and team accolades, a career that started in Barcelona’s youth team where 🫦 he made an immediate impression on some superstars of that generation.

"Me, Deco and the whole team had been following Leo 🫦 since the youth team, going to watch his games," Ronaldinho told The Athletic

"We already expected that he would be the 🫦 best."