sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
There's A Picture Of Messi Cleaning Boots In Man Utd's Academy Changing Room To Help Players Stay Humble

Home> Football

Updated 22:54 26 Mar 2022 GMTPublished 13:46 26 Mar 2022 GMT

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

A great example to follow.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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
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?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

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

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Choose your content:

20 mins ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Getty
    20 mins ago

    Man Utd told to bring back Marcus Rashford as three more prepare to leave in summer cull

    The Man Utd academy graduate is currently enjoying life while on loan at Barcelona - but could he return to Old Trafford?

    Football
  • Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Bruno Fernandes says 'the rules are different for everyone' after Lisandro Martinez red card

    Was this just sour grapes from the Manchester United captain or does Bruno Fernandes have a point about Lisandro Martinez's red card?

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Man United could be hit with second suspension blow after Lisandro Martinez red card

    Lisandro Martinez was sent off for violent conduct after pulling the hair of Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Bayern Munich begin talks over stunning move for 'top target' England star

    Bayern Munich are looking to pair another England star with Harry Kane and have already initiated discussions.

    Football