Lionel Messi didn't hesitate when naming his footballing idol and it's not Diego Maradona or Pele

Lionel Messi named a surprise choice for his footballing idol who he admired growing up.

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi is the idol for so many players in the current generation after his unmatched achievements with club and country.

But long before becoming the pint-sized phenomenon we know today, Messi was just a little boy from Rosario with a dream of making it as a footballer.

And it wasn't his former manager Diego Maradona or the late Pele who Messi wanted to emulate.

Messi's main inspiration was the diminutive Argentine magician Pablo Aimar, who played for River Plate, Valencia and Benfica.

The two-time La Liga winner's special abilities captured the imagination of Messi, who went on to play with him in the Argentina national team on 13 occasions - including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Speaking to Adidas Football, Messi said: "Apart from Maradona, who always comes first for Argentines, Pablo Aimar was the player I admired the most. I loved him very much."

When Aimar retired from football in 2015, Messi took to his official Facebook page to hail his compatriot as a "great player and "one of my idols" as well as thanking him "for all the enjoyment you gave us with your magic".

Aimar has since coached Messi while serving as assistant to Lionel Scaloni in the Argentina national team.

And when Messi scored a clutch goal against Mexico on the way to an eventually triumphant World Cup campaign in 2022, Aimar nearly burst into tears on the bench such was the emotions which came over him.

And while Messi grew up idolising Aimar, the roles have been reversed in recent times - with the 44-year-old considering the Inter Miami captain as his favourite ever player.

Speaking in 2020, Aimar told FIFA: "For me, the best is always Messi. He is my all-time favorite."