One early Chelsea scout report of Lionel Messi included a major error.
Back in February 2006, the attacker travelled to London ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 clash against Chelsea. It would be the first time most English fans would have watched the soon-to-be football icon in the flesh.
Messi had only been playing in Barcelona’s first team for 16 months but was widely regarded as one of the best prospects in world football.
And ahead of the game Chelsea’s then-assistant coach Andre Villas-Boas compiled a scouting report on the 18-year-old Messi.
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However, one aspect of the scout report proved to be inaccurate - the claim that Messi is “very left footed”.
“Quality and speed, but very left-footed,” Villas-Boas wrote, as per Planet Football. “Exactly the same behaviours as Ronaldinho. Inside between lines or diagonals. Encourages team forward by ball driving. Amazing 1 vs 1.
“If option is to foul him, it is important to do it outside the box and as early as possible as [he] recovered from an injury recently.”
Messi, now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has scored some 721 goals across his club career while playing at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and current side Inter Miami.
Even at 36 years old, stopping the pint-sized Argentina international from scoring is a rare feat worth celebrating.
And while he favours his left foot, Messi has netted some 89 goals with his right foot.
In the Chelsea game, Messi made his sixth-ever Champions League appearance, starting in a three-pronged attack alongside Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho at Stamford Bridge.
Messi shook off several poorly-timed tackles to star in a hugely entertaining game, which saw Frank Rjikaard's Barcelona ultimately secure a famous 2-1 victory.
An own goal from John Terry and a late strike from Samuel Eto'o sealed the win for Barca, in a match that also saw Chelsea left-back Asier Del Horno sent off for serious foul play in the first half.
Topics: Football, Lionel Messi, Chelsea, Barcelona
Chris Byfield