One early Chelsea scout report of Lionel Messi included a major error.
Back in February 2006, the attacker travelled to London ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 clash against Chelsea. It would be the first time most English fans would have watched the soon-to-be football icon in the flesh.
Messi had only been playing in Barcelona’s first team for 16 months but was widely regarded as one of the best prospects in world football.
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And ahead of the game Chelsea’s then-assistant coach Andre Villas-Boas compiled a scouting report on the 18-year-old Messi.
However, one aspect of the scout report proved to be inaccurate - the claim that Messi is “very left footed”.
“Quality and speed, but very left-footed,” Villas-Boas wrote, as per Planet Football. “Exactly the same behaviours as Ronaldinho. Inside between lines or diagonals. Encourages team forward by ball driving. Amazing 1 vs 1.
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“If option is to foul him, it is important to do it outside the box and as early as possible as [he] recovered from an injury recently.”
Messi, now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has scored some 721 goals across his club career while playing at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and current side Inter Miami.
Even at 36 years old, stopping the pint-sized Argentina international from scoring is a rare feat worth celebrating.
And while he favours his left foot, Messi has netted some 89 goals with his right foot.
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In the Chelsea game, Messi made his sixth-ever Champions League appearance, starting in a three-pronged attack alongside Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho at Stamford Bridge.
Messi shook off several poorly-timed tackles to star in a hugely entertaining game, which saw Frank Rjikaard's Barcelona ultimately secure a famous 2-1 victory.
An own goal from John Terry and a late strike from Samuel Eto'o sealed the win for Barca, in a match that also saw Chelsea left-back Asier Del Horno sent off for serious foul play in the first half.
Topics: Football, Lionel Messi, Chelsea, Barcelona
Chris Byfield