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Barcelona have released never-before-seen footage of club hero Lionel Messi playing for the Catalan side's U16s.

The video shows the Argentine as a 15-year-old skipping effortlessly past players, scoring goals and playing outrageous passes.

It's from the 2002/03 season when Messi was playing under head coach Alex Garcia. It was the only time the five-time Ballon d'Or winner started and ended a campaign playing for the same youth team.

Following on from his time in the U16s, Messi was promoted to Barcelona C and graduated mid-season into Barcelona B.

(Image: Barcelona TV) (Image: Barcelona TV)

Midway through the following season Messi made his senior debut.

And judging from the above footage, it was always destined to be. Messi looks streaks ahead anyone else his age, and the maturity in his play is incredible.