If Lionel Messi’s not too big to clean his own boots, then you can clean yours as well.
That’s the message at Manchester United’s academy, where a photograph of the Barcelona superstar taking care of his own footwear hangs from the wall.
Messi’s a natural choice to deliver a message to today’s youngsters. After all, along with former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s taken the game to new heights — winning the Ballon d’Or five times, winning four Champions Leagues and scoring over 600 goals in an incredible career.
However, Messi’s message is more to do with humility than talent or hard work. The photograph shows him cleaning his boots — and not as a kid, but after a friendly between Argentina and Croatia at Upton Park in 2014.
United believe the image is the perfect reminder to the kids hoping to break into Jose Mourinho’s first team that you can’t lose touch with reality.
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players of the modern era but he had one of the most humble beginnings.
To remind the youngsters coming through the Manchester United Academy of hard work and humility, there’s a photo of the PSG superstar cleaning his own boots in the changing room.
And the club’s head of youth development, John Murtagh, says developing people is as important as creating footballers at the Premier League club.
“We have the footballing values here of attacking, free-flowing, exciting football and, as people, you want humility, an honest, hardworking person, someone who’s respectful,” Murtagh explained to The Times.
If the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner can wipe his own boots after a game, so can other aspiring youngsters hoping to make a name for themselves.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, another player who is known for his elite mentality, remains a great influence for our younger players on the field.
