Topics: Lionel Messi, West Ham United, Football, Premier League, Argentina
Fans were left baffled when they realised that Lionel Messi once trained with a Premier League club’s youth side - but there's an explanation.
Messi, 37, is arguably the greatest footballer to have played the game and has lit up some of the best stadiums in world football, such as the Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu, during his trophy-laden career with Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami and Argentina.
And despite being used to pristine pitches and being treated like royalty in most countries he visits, even Messi sometimes has to play at more humble locations.
Back in 2014, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner paid a visit to Romford in east London. The reason for his visit was because Argentina were due to face Croatia in a friendly at West Ham United’s Upton Park later that week.
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Of course, the likes of Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero also caught the eye of the locals who were left questioning the reason for their visit to the Rush Green academy facility.
The Hammers’ Under-23 side had the chance of a lifetime and faced Argentina in what appeared to be a training match, and fans were quick to offer their thoughts on social media when footage emerged online.
One said: “Messi is in Romford, I am finally proud to be from here.”
Another added: “That's nuts. I had no idea that it even took place. Rush Green Training Ground. Of which I was born up the road from.”
While some of the players even opened up about the experience online.
West Ham's Sam Westley tweeted: “An unreal experience – playing against Messi was one of my best experiences ever.”
Westley discussed the experience further during an interview with ESPN in 2024.
"We were looking over like, 'Oh my God,' it was obviously Messi... Higuain was there, Mascherano, Lamela, and they lined up with their strongest team," Westley said.
He added: "We honestly didn't get near the ball. I remember... Messi got it on the half turn in midfield and he was looking down my side and I've thought, 'You know what I'm gonna really try and read this one,' and he's played it, I've gone to step in and he's just slipped it down the inside of me... and they scored probably their sixth goal."
Another player, Matthias Fanimo, tweeted: “Easily without doubt the best day of my life. What an experience. Don’t think anything is topping that.”
And the West Ham youngsters putting Messi through his paces seemingly had a positive impact on the 37-year-old as he scored a penalty in the fixture against Croatia as the South American ran out as 2-1 winners in front of a packed Upton Park.
