For many professionals, getting the chance to play against Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou would be hard to beat. Charly Musonda had the opportunity to do just that at the age of 19 last year when he came on as a second-half substitute for Real Betis.

But, while the Belgium Under-21 international enjoyed facing one of the all-time greats in an iconic stadium - albeit in a 6-2 defeat - it paled into comparison with starting for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup third round last night.

Musonda joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of 15 but it has taken five years to be named in the first XI.

“Playing for Chelsea last night definitely eclipsed playing at the Nou Camp,” he told Standard Sport.

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“To start my first game at Stamford Bridge after being here so long was a magnificent experience. To be part of it and to play in front of these fans was my best moment in football so far.”

Musonda has been the talk of many leading scouts across Europe for the past few years.

Yet, the only senior action he had seen before the current campaign was his 24 appearances over two loan spells at Betis in 2016.

His natural talent and ability to run with the ball in La Liga was obvious but questions remained about the attacking midfielder’s diminutive frame.

Against Nottingham Forest, Musonda’s trickery proved too much against mediocre opposition from the Championship.

But if he is to truly fulfil his potential, he needs to work on his physique.

It is something his compatriot Eden Hazard has had to do since joining from Lille for £32million in 2012 - and he arrived in English football already regarded as one of the most exciting dribblers in the sport.

Being arguably the most skilful player in the Premier League comes at a heavy price for Hazard, due to the amount of fouls and rough treatment he gets on a regular basis.

Tellingly, Hazard has taken Musonda under his wing and is having a positive influence on the youngster’s career.

Musonda added: “I eat with Eden after training every day and he is always a big help to me. Does he tell me to hit the gym? Yes, of course.

“I know I definitely have to put more muscle on. It is a very physical League. Nottingham Forest were very physical last night.

“English football is very tough. You can have the skill but you need to add the physical part to it.

“I am still young and will have to continue developing. I’m patient and I have time.

“I came here at the age of 15 and I used to watch Eden on TV. I told him that it was my dream to play with him here. To learn from him all these years, to see him develop like he has, is a massive inspiration for me.”

Musonda has never had any issues with self-confidence. Indeed, there were claims he sparked an altercation with Cesc Fabregas during a Chelsea training session in 2015 after nutmegging the senior man.

If there were any hard feelings between the two, they have evaporated now. It was Fabregas who set up Musonda for his fine goal and Chelsea’s third against Forest, with Kenedy and a Michy Batshuayi hat-trick completing the scoring.

Just before half-time, Fabregas made a point of applauding the young prodigy when he almost added a second to his tally.

Antonio Conte, who informed Musonda weeks ago that he would be making his full debut in the competition, will still need more convincing.

The League Cup provides Musonda & Co. - Academy stars Ethan Ampadu, Jake Clarke-Salter and Dujon Sterling were second-half substitutes - with their best opportunity for first-team football.

Last year, Chelsea were knocked out in the fourth round so Conte will want to avoid a repeat when they face Everton at home next month.

Musonda is certainly not taking anything for granted, though, as far as the Italian's selection policy is concerned.

He concluded: "The manager has told he I have to keep working hard. I am playing with world class players all the time so I am learning from them every day. I work with them in training and am getting experience.

"For me personally, I just want to have a great impact on the team whenever the manager needs me and from there we will see.

"I'm not expecting to play in every game in the League Cup, I will take what I can get and be thankful for that. But I have no fear to play my football."

