Many have claimed FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is a genius, but there were eight people in particular who helped mould him from a young age. Can you guess who these names were?
Click through the gallery to see the eight faces behind Messi's rise to stardom.
The Argentine arrived in Spain as a 13-year-old boy, and many of his coaches and teammates knew they were witnessing something special.
Messi's talent saw him stand out in the club's youth ranks, but it was his hard work and his ability to persevere that has allowed him to get to where he is today.
Being such a prospect, all those years ago, it was important that the Argentine was well looked after by his colleagues and club officials, and while the world witnessed a young Messi emerge as an exciting starlet – he was being protected by those nearest to him.
His father, Jorge Messi, played a huge role in his son's progression, while former Barca defender Sylvinho was the player's guardian within the squad.
Ronaldinho was another player who aided Messi's development not only on the field, but off the field too, and Frank Rijkaard as well as his assistant Henk Ten Cate gave the Argentine his first ever opportunity in the first team.
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There were a few other people, who helped groom Messi into the star he is today, and you can click through the gallery to see their roles in the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's rise to stardom.
Do you think Messi would be the player he is today, if he wasn't for these people? Let us know in the comments section below.
