A scout report by former Premier League manager André Villas-Boas on an 18 year old Lionel Messi has re-surfaced.
The report was put together when Villas-Boas was assistant to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and indicates just how gifted Messi was in his formative years as a professional footballer.
"Quality + speed but very left footed," the report says. "Exactly the same behaviours as Ronaldinho. Inside between lines or diagonals."
André Villas-Boas' report on 18-year-old Leo Messi back in 2005.
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The report also illustrates how coaches were unsure how to deal with the youngster, with Villas-Boas suggesting the best bet is to foul him, something Messi has been a victim of throughout his career.
"(He) encourages the team forward by ball driving," the report continues. "Amazing 1 vs 1. If option is to foul him it's important to do so outside the box and as early as possible. (Has) recovered from an injury recently."
Villas-Boas' report was part of a wider dossier him and Mourinho compiled on Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona at the start of the 2005/06 season.
The pair analysed all of the players at the Camp Nou that season, including defender Carles Puyol, who they considered to be 'very emotional', and Ronaldinho, who they described as a 'constant cheater'.
But their rave reviews of a young Messi were shared by managers across the globe, including the Argentinian's youth coach at Barcelona Ángel Guillermo Hoyos, who says the former's talent was apparent when he was just 16.
"I (quickly) realised the extraordinary things we were seeing," Hoyos said in an interview from 2015 with SI. "Really we're seeing a player who has cut a path through the history of football, writing many pages of gold.
He was always a guy with the capability to find solutions because of his faster mental capacities. He didn't need physical contact to be able to play this game. He had ability, skilfulness and mental conditions that made the difference."
It's fair to say that Messi lived up to both Villas-Boas and Hoyos' hype in the years that followed. In a 17 year spell with Barcelona's first team, he lifted 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions Leagues. He also won the coveted Ballon D'Or on a staggering six occasions.
The 34 year old now hopes to add to that astonishing collection with his new club PSG, who he joined earlier this summer.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Chelsea, Barcelona, PSG, Messi, Mourinho