Viral 'world's strongest toddler' became Liverpool wonderkid and now looks unrecognisable eight years later

A former Liverpool wonderkid who was once dubbed the world's strongest toddler now looks very different.

Iranian youngster Arat Hosseini went viral around eight years ago after footage of him playing football and exercising was posted on social media.

The youngster ended up amassing over 6 million followers on Instagram and has caught the attention of major sports stars such as Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic.

In 2019, the once dubbed 'world's strongest toddler', signed for Premier League side Liverpool.

However, Arat's father, Mohamad, revealed in 2022 that his son is no longer part of the Reds' youth set-up.

As reported by 90 Min, he wrote: "Goodbye Arat from Liverpool Academy forever. When Arat and the Liverpool academy can not be useful to each other, the best decision is to go.

"Just decided to break up because Arat's style of play does not fit with this (Liverpool's)."

Despite leaving Liverpool, videos of Arat playing football continue to be posted on social media.

Earlier in the month, a video was uploaded to Instagram which showed Arat controlling a long lofted pass with relative ease.

Reacting on social media, one fan said: "He is growing so fast. Wish you all the best son."

Another commented: "Literally watched this kid grow, can’t wait to watch him play in the Premier League."

A third fan added: "He looks so different to when he first went viral, I guess that's part of growing up tho. All the best!"

Speaking back in 2017, Arat's father, Mohamad, spoke about how he discovered his son's strength.

He said, as per The Sun: "One day when I returned home from work and put my finger in Arat's hand, he got up slowly and, gripping my finger very tightly, pulled his legs off the ground.

"At that time I noticed the strength and power Arat had and were very surprised. Arat's favourite trick is performing a backwards somersault."