Who Is Messi's Idol? Uncovering The Surprise Childhood Hero

Henry Turner 17 Aug 2025

Lionel Messi, a name that echoes through football stadiums and conversations around the world, has truly become an inspiration for so many players. You see, during his remarkable time at Barcelona, his incredible skill and dedication turned him into a guiding light for countless aspiring athletes. It's almost amazing how many young talents today look up to him, hoping to emulate his path to greatness.

But have you ever stopped to wonder, who were Lionel Messi’s idols when he was coming up through the ranks at Barcelona? It's a fascinating thought, isn't it? We often see him as the ultimate footballing figure, yet everyone, even the most legendary figures, has someone they admired, someone who shaped their dreams and efforts early on. So, what about the man himself?

It turns out, Messi named a rather surprising choice for his footballing idol, someone he admired growing up. This revelation offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest players of all time, showing us a different side of his formative years. It's not the name many people might guess, which, in a way, makes the discovery all the more interesting, really.

Messi: An Idol to So Many
The Surprising Childhood Hero: Pablo Aimar
Other Players Messi Admired
- Ronaldinho: The Barcelona Connection
- Wayne Rooney: Premier League Favorite
Messi is the Idol for a New Generation
Frequently Asked Questions About Messi's Idols

Messi: An Idol to So Many

Lionel Messi has, quite simply, become the idol of so many players during his time at Barcelona and beyond. His journey, marked by countless trophies and individual accolades, has inspired a whole generation of footballers. It's something you see constantly, honestly, how young players talk about him with such reverence.

Here are seven players who, in their own words, idolize arguably one of the biggest football icons in the history of the game, Lionel Messi. This just goes to show the immense impact he has had on the sport globally. It's a pretty clear sign of his lasting legacy, you know.

Florian Wirtz, the Bayer Leverkusen star, revealed, "Leo Messi is my idol." He even added, "I have a Messi poster in my room and my first football kit was Messi’s Argentina kit." That, for instance, paints a very clear picture of his admiration. Claudio Echeverri, a wonderfully gifted Argentina international, is part of a generation of Argentina kids for whom Messi is their Maradona. This connection is deeply personal for them, you see, a kind of historical echo.

Brazilian winger Neymar once named Lionel Messi as his footballing idol in an interview with basketball star Steph Curry. Their time together at Barcelona was, in a way, a masterclass in collaboration, and Neymar’s admiration certainly deepened then. Messi is the idol for so many players across the world, having achieved virtually everything there is to achieve in the sport. It's truly a testament to his consistent brilliance, you know, year after year.

The Surprising Childhood Hero: Pablo Aimar

So, who was Lionel Messi’s idol, then? This is the big question many people ask. Lionel Messi’s idol is a rather surprising choice, as the Argentine revealed that he admired a specific player from his childhood. It's not Diego Maradona, as many might assume, which is quite interesting, really, given Maradona's legendary status in Argentina.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has, in fact, snubbed Diego Maradona and Pele when asked about his footballing idol. Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, has admitted that Maradona was not his main source of inspiration as a kid. This detail often catches people by surprise, as a matter of fact, because of the natural association between the two Argentine greats.

Messi names his football idol as the skillful Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar. Aimar’s exceptional talent captivated a young Messi, who later had the opportunity to share the field with his hero 13 times for the Argentina national team, including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. This must have been a truly incredible experience for him, playing alongside someone he looked up to so much, you know.

Lionel Messi had zero doubts when naming his footballing idol, and it's not Argentina icon Diego Maradona. Messi has named Pablo Aimar, the former Argentine midfielder, as his childhood footballing idol. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, admired Aimar's exceptional skills and abilities on the field. It's clear that Aimar's style of play really resonated with him, apparently, from a very young age.

For Messi, there’s an unusual name that comes up as a childhood idol. He has stated, "Pablo Aimar was, and is, my idol." According to Messi, Aimar is one of Argentina’s best players. He has inspired him a lot and became, in a way, a blueprint for the kind of player Messi wanted to be. It's pretty clear that Aimar left a deep impression on him, really.

Pablo Aimar: Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Pablo César Aimar
Nationality	Argentine
Date of Birth	November 3, 1979
Playing Position	Attacking Midfielder / Playmaker
Notable Clubs	River Plate, Valencia, Real Zaragoza, Benfica
International Caps (Argentina)	52 (5 goals)
Career Highlights	La Liga titles with Valencia, Portuguese League titles with Benfica
Relationship with Messi	Childhood idol, later a teammate for Argentina

Aimar's Influence on Young Messi

When it comes to discussing the greatest soccer players of all time, Lionel Messi’s name is always at the top of the list. But who are the people and events that have inspired and influenced Messi to become the player he is? Pablo Aimar, it seems, played a very significant role in this. His style, his flair, his sheer talent on the ball, just captivated Messi as a boy, you know.

Aimar's exceptional talent captivated a young Messi. This wasn't just a fleeting admiration; it was a deep appreciation for Aimar's craft. Messi, as a matter of fact, watched Aimar play and saw something in his game that he wanted to incorporate into his own. It was a kind of footballing education, you could say, observing his hero from afar.

The former Argentine midfielder’s skills were something Messi truly admired. It wasn't about goal-scoring prowess alone; it was about the way Aimar controlled the game, his vision, and his ability to create chances. This focus on playmaking, in some respects, might have subtly influenced Messi's own development as a comprehensive forward, not just a pure goalscorer. That's a pretty interesting thought, isn't it?

A truly special aspect of this story is that Messi later had the opportunity to share the field with his hero, Pablo Aimar. This happened 13 times for the Argentina national team. Imagine, for a moment, being a young player and then, years later, lining up alongside the person you idolized most in your sport. It's a dream come true, literally, for any athlete, you know.

Their shared appearances included matches at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. This means Messi got to play with Aimar on the biggest stage in football. For a young Messi, still finding his feet on the international scene, having his idol there must have been both inspiring and a little bit surreal. It's almost too perfect, that, for a player to get that chance.

These moments on the pitch, side by side, undoubtedly cemented Aimar’s place in Messi’s personal footballing history. It wasn't just a childhood memory; it became a shared professional experience. This connection, in a way, runs deeper than just admiration from afar. It's a bond formed through the game itself, which is quite powerful, really.

Other Players Messi Admired

While Pablo Aimar stands out as Messi's childhood idol, the Argentine maestro has also mentioned other players he admired. Arguably one of the greatest goalscorer and playmaker, Lionel Messi, has mentioned about his favorite players in his past interviews over the years. This shows that while Aimar was his primary inspiration, he also appreciated the talents of others, which is pretty common for top athletes, you know.

Here’s a brief list of his favorite players from different leagues and, of course, his ultimate idol. It gives us a broader picture of his footballing tastes and influences. It's interesting to see who else caught his eye, actually.

Ronaldinho: The Barcelona Connection

Ronaldinho, Messi’s favorite player in La Liga, was a teammate of his at Barcelona. The two had a very close relationship, especially during Messi's early years with the senior squad. Ronaldinho, with his dazzling skills and infectious joy for the game, surely left a lasting impression on the young Argentine. He was, in a way, a mentor figure during a crucial period of Messi's development, you see.

Their time together at Barcelona was truly special. Ronaldinho, the established star, took Messi under his wing, helping him settle into the team and adapt to the demands of top-flight football. This direct interaction and guidance from such a celebrated player must have been invaluable for Messi. It's almost like a passing of the torch, that, in retrospect.

The Brazilian’s influence on Messi's early professional career at Barcelona is well-documented. While not a childhood idol in the same vein as Aimar, Ronaldinho certainly played a significant role in Messi’s growth as a player. He showed Messi, in some respects, how to truly enjoy the game at the highest level, which is a very important lesson, really.

Wayne Rooney: Premier League Favorite

Wayne Rooney is Messi’s favorite player in the English Premier League. He has expressed this admiration in an interview, highlighting Rooney's qualities as a player. It's a bit of a surprise for some, perhaps, but it shows Messi's appreciation for different styles of play and different leagues, too.

Rooney, known for his power, versatility, and goal-scoring ability, clearly impressed Messi. This choice suggests that Messi appreciates players who combine raw talent with immense work rate and a direct approach to the game. It’s a different kind of player than Aimar, which just highlights the breadth of Messi’s footballing appreciation, you know.

His acknowledgement of Rooney as a favorite in the Premier League adds another layer to our understanding of Messi's footballing perspective. It indicates that he watches and appreciates talent across different leagues, beyond just his immediate environment. This kind of insight, actually, helps us to see the game through his eyes a little more clearly.

Messi is the Idol for a New Generation

Lionel Messi is one of the best players to have graced the beautiful game, as pretty much everyone agrees. He has won the Ballon d’Or seven times, the most of any player in history, a truly astonishing feat. His unparalleled success and consistent brilliance have cemented his status as a global icon, which is something you can't really argue with, you know.

Today, Lionel Messi has become the idol of so many players. His journey from a young boy with a growth hormone deficiency to a World Cup winner is a powerful narrative of perseverance and talent. This story, in a way, resonates deeply with aspiring footballers everywhere, giving them hope and a tangible example to follow.

The impact he has had on the sport is immense, inspiring a whole new generation to pick up a ball and dream big. Players like Florian Wirtz and Claudio Echeverri, as we mentioned earlier, grew up watching Messi and now aspire to reach his heights. This ongoing cycle of inspiration, honestly, is what keeps the beautiful game alive and thriving.

Messi’s influence extends far beyond statistics and trophies; it's about the pure joy he brings to the game and the magic he creates on the pitch. His style of play, his humility, and his dedication have made him a role model for millions. It's pretty clear that his legacy will continue to inspire for many, many years to come, you know. Learn more about Messi's idol and his career path.

To understand more about the players who have shaped the game, you can Learn more about football legends on our site. And if you're curious about the evolution of football tactics, you can also check out this page about the history of the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions About Messi's Idols

People often have questions about who inspired Lionel Messi, given his own legendary status. It's a natural curiosity, really, to look at the influences behind such a monumental talent. Here are some common questions people ask, and their answers, based on what Messi himself has shared.

Was Diego Maradona Messi's idol?

No, Lionel Messi has actually stated that Diego Maradona was not his main footballing idol when he was growing up. While Maradona is an influential figure in Lionel Messi’s football career, having been a major influence during the start of Messi’s playing career, especially as a coach, he was not Messi's childhood hero in the same way Pablo Aimar was. This detail often surprises people, you know, given the strong Argentine connection.

Who is Pablo Aimar and why was he Messi's idol?

Pablo Aimar is a former Argentine attacking midfielder, known for his exceptional skill, vision, and playmaking abilities. Messi admired Aimar's talent on the field, finding his style of play captivating and inspiring. Aimar, according to Messi, was one of Argentina's best players and deeply inspired him, becoming a significant influence on his own aspirations in football. He was, in a way, a model for Messi's own development as a creative force on the pitch, you see.

Did Messi ever play with his idol?

Yes, Messi did get the chance to play alongside his childhood idol, Pablo Aimar. They shared the field 13 times for the Argentina national team, including appearances at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. This was a truly special experience for Messi, allowing him to play professionally with the player he looked up to most as a child. It's pretty rare for something like that to happen, actually, so it's a great story.

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Who Is Messi's Idol? Uncovering The Surprise Childhood Hero

Table of Contents

Messi: An Idol to So Many

The Surprising Childhood Hero: Pablo Aimar