Lionel Messi named a surprise choice for his footballing idol who he admired growing up.

Maradona

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the idol for so many players in the current generation after his unmatched achievements with club and country.

 

But long before becoming the pint-sized phenomenon we know today, Messi was just a little boy from Rosario with a dream of making it as a footbal ler.Messi’s main inspiration was the diminutive Argentine magician Pablo Aimar, who played for River Plate, Valencia and Benfica.

 

The two-time La Liga winner’s special abilities captured the imagination of Messi, who went on to play with him in the Argentina national team on 13 occasions – including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

 

Speaking to Adidas Football, Messi said: “Apart from Maradona, who always comes first for Argentines, Pablo Aimar was the player I admired the most. I loved him very mu ch.”When Aimar retired from football in 2015, Messi took to his official Facebook page to hail his compatriot as a “great player and “one of my idols” as well as thanking him “for all the enjoyment you gave us with your magic”.

Maradona

Aimar has since coached Messi while serving as assistant to Lionel Scaloni in the Argentina national team.

 

And when Messi scored a clutch goal against Mexico on the way to an eventually triumphant World Cup campaign in 2022, Aimar nearly burst into tears on the bench such was the emotions which came over  him.