It may come as something of a surprise that a picture of Lionel Messi can be seen pinned up in the Manchester United academy dressing rooms.
Whereas the walls of United’s AON training complex are decorated with images of some of the most famous names to have played for the club, it’s a picture of the Barcelona star that has been specially chosen to help motivate the youngsters.
The image, taken in 2014, shows a then-26-year-old Messi in the changing rooms at Upton Park following an international friendly for Argentina against Croatia. He can be seen shining his own boots after the match, a job many might not expect a player widely regarded as one of the greatest ever to be doing.
Nicky Butt, the former United midfielder now coaching the club’s academy sides, revealed the picture hangs in their changing rooms during a recent interview given to The Times.
The message is a clear one: Work hard and, like Messi, stay humble.
Man Utd have this picture of Messi cleaning his own boots after a friendly against Croatia at Upton Park in 2014 framed in their academy dressing room.
It’s done so that their youngsters can learn from the greatest ever footballer’s hard work, humility and simplicity. [times] pic.twitter.com/YnToRZWYxQ
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 9, 2018
