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Lionel Messi’s potential to become arguably the greatest footballer of all time was clear for all to see at Barcelona 🍊 when he emerged as a teenager, according to Ronaldinho.

Messi claimed a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award after helping Argentina end 🍊 a 36-year wait to lift the World Cup in Qatar last year, scoring two goals in the final and slotting 🍊 a penalty in the shoot-out, en route to being named the player of the match in the victory over France.

It 🍊 completed a career resume littered with both individual and team accolades, a career that started in Barcelona’s youth team where 🍊 he made an immediate impression on some superstars of that generation.

"Me, Deco and the whole team had been following Leo 🍊 since the youth team, going to watch his games," Ronaldinho told The Athletic

"We already expected that he would be the 🍊 best."