Footage has emerged of a young Lionel Messi dribbling through an entire Premier League youth team in Essex in 2014, just days before scoring the winning goal for Argentina’s star-studded team

A new clip has emerged of a younger Lionel Messi dribbling through the entire West Ham Under-23 defence during a visit to Romford ten years ago.

The football legend, then 27, was in Essex ahead of the Argentina v Croatia match at Upton Park in November 2014.

The World Cup runners-up emerged victorious that day thanks to Messi’s penalty in the 57th minute after Anas Sharbini had put the European side ahead and centre-back Christian Ansaldi had equalised.

Before the match, Messi, still in his prime, faced off against The Hammers’ youth team on a likely cold and dark night at the club’s training ground.

And the little forward took to it like a fish in water. He showed no mercy, passed the young players and shot the ball into the net.

Another clip of Lionel Messi dribbling through the entire West Ham U23 defence has surfaced

The World Cup runners-up defeated Croatia a few days later at Upton Park thanks to a penalty from Messi

Messi clearly drew inspiration from his trip to Romford and put in a good performance in international competition.

Rising Ballers posted the footage on X, formerly Twitter, saying: ‘To this day I can’t believe this happened… Lionel Messi actually came to Romford and played against West Ham U23 in 2014.

‘It was a preparation match for Argentina, who were playing an international match at West Ham’s stadium… Madness.’

In a move that has haunted countless defenders throughout his illustrious career, the then Barcelona star picked up the ball in West Ham’s half and fired a goal-bound shot.

He cuts from the inside, passing first one player, then the other, while others try in vain to overtake him.

He then steps into the penalty area, where he brazenly fires the ball over a stranded keeper and into the net.

Messi decides not to celebrate his wonder goal, presumably out of respect for the poor youth team he has just mercilessly humiliated.

The performance was reminiscent of the legend’s countless devastating performances against English sides, including two goals in two Champions League finals against Man United (one in 2009 and one in 2011).

The 37-year-old is Argentina’s top scorer with an impressive 109 goals in 187 games and proudly won the World Cup as captain of his country in Qatar in 2022.

The performance was reminiscent of the legend’s countless devastating displays against English teams, including two goals in the Champions League final against Man Utd (pictured: 2009 final)

The 37-year-old is Argentina’s top scorer with an impressive 109 goals in 187 games and proudly won the World Cup as captain of his country in Qatar in 2022.

In a career full of trophies, Messi has won four Champions Leagues (pictured: 2015 final)

Messi scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

He is now active in the US and has scored 14 times for Miami in the same number of games, as well as providing 10 assists.

In a trophy-laden career, Messi has won the Copa America twice, the Champions League four times, La Liga ten times and Ligue 1 twice. He has also won the Ballon d’Or eight times, most recently in 2023.