There's A Picture Of Messi Cleaning Boots In Man Utd's Academy Changing Room To Help Players Stay Humble

The academy dressing room at Manchester United contains a picture of Lionel Messi cleaning his own boots - and it sends out the perfect message to the club's stars of tomorrow.

In a lengthy piece for The Times in 2018, Henry Winter said the image of seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi cleaning his boots after taking to the field for Argentina against Croatia at Upton Park in 2016 is displayed on the wall.

Why? Well, for those youngsters coming through the academy, it serves as a timely reminder to remain grounded.

If arguably the greatest player to ever play the sport is wiping dirt off his boots after a game, then you too should adopt the same mentality.

The same report focuses on Scott McTominay's emergence as a first-team player for United after the midfielder made his 20th appearance of the 2017/18 season in United's 3-2 win over Manchester City.

Despite being a fairly established member of the side back then, the midfielder remained grounded by leaving his car at Carrington's academy car park.

Image credit: Alamy

Michael Carrick, who once hailed McTominay as his successor in the United side, praised the Scotland international for the way he conducts himself, both on and off the pitch.

"He goes about his business, he comes in, he is always in doing extra training. He's desperate to do well and he's always looking for those little things to improve on.

"All the glitz and the glamour that can surround young players these days, he doesn't seem too interested in that, which is fantastic, especially at this stage of his career.

"It's about making a career, that's how it is. You can't live like you've had a career before you've had the career - you've got to earn it."

Thoughts on that picture of Messi being displayed in the United academy dressing room?

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Topics: Manchester United, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Argentina