9 of today’s wonderkids who grew up idolising Lionel Messi: Yamal, Palmer, Wirtz…

It’s now over two decades ago that Lionel Messi made his debut for Barcelona, meaning that all of the best young rising stars around the world won’t be able to remember a time that the Argentinian icon wasn’t tearing it up.

Messi had already won a Champions League before his heir to the throne at Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, was born, while his former PSG team-mate Warren Zaire-Emery was only three years old when he scored that header against Manchester United in the 2009 final.

A number of today’s wonderkids will have grown up watching Messi with dreams of one day emulating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. We’ve identified nine players age 23 or under who have spoken about their reverence for Messi.

Cole Palmer

“I wanted to be Lionel Messi when I was a kid,” Palmer revealed in a recent quickfire interview with GOAL.

“Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? For me, Lionel Messi.”

Estevao Willian

It’s no surprise that the Brazilian starlet, who has already been snapped up by Chelsea, considers Messi his ultimate reference point – given his ‘Messinho’ (little Messi) nickname.

“I like Neymar a lot too, Cristiano Ronaldo,” Estevao told The Guardian.

“But my reference is [Lionel] Messi for everything he’s done for football. The way he plays and what he does off the pitch is a guy I always have to look up to. And, of course, for me being left-footed like him favours as well,” Estevao has told The Guardian.

“Some people are born with talent, others have to work hard. Good examples are Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo. Messi has the talent, Ronaldo the effort. I look for both. Talent and dedication.

“Today in football you have to dedicate yourself, you have to keep to a schedule, train, travel, take care of yourself. You have to give up a lot. Without dedication you can’t get anywhere.”

Enzo Fernandez

When Estevao arrives, the Chelsea dressing room is going to be full of Messi worshippers.

Fernandez is among those who have been lucky enough to play frequently alongside his idol, having broken through to become a key player at Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Eight years ago, when Fernandez was just 15 years old, he even took to Facebook to explain how much Argentina’s legendary captain means to him following his – quickly reversed – decision to retire from international football in 2015. It’s since been uncovered and gone viral on social media.

“He means a lot to everyone in the world. He’s a legend for Argentina. He’s a loved person, an idol for all Argentinians, for our children,” Fernandez told reporters.