In the modern era of professional football, it is an impressive feat to stay at the summit and consistently be the best (or one of the best) for an entire career.

Lionel Messi exemplifies everything a footballer should aspire to be but as the old adage goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

A month before the Argentinian would make his senior debut against Espanyol, Messi put in a vintage performance as part of the Barcelona B squad.

There were early signs he would become something special but I don't think anyone guessed he would reach the meteoric heights that he has.

Here he is before his rapid ascent to superstardom and before someone took to his head with a pair of scissors.