He is 18 and played for 15 minutes: he scored once and passed decisevly for another goal. He is the new WonderKid of Argentina and Barcelona CF: Lionel Messi.

There is no denying the Argentine wunderkind is more than a little special. Having been out since 12 April with a thigh injury, he watched last Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire from the bench and was reported to be struggling with a foot injury this week. However, with the Albiceleste offering a football exhibition against the beleaguered Serbia and Montenegrins, Jose Pekerman decided to give his young colt free rein with a quarter-of-an-hour left to play.

At 18 years of age, Messi is embarking on his first FIFA World Cup™ adventure, but any thoughts that he might be fazed by the occasion were dispelled very quickly indeed. Just three minutes had passed, in fact, when the teenager outwitted the opposing defence with his skill and pace before delivering a pinpoint cross. From five yards, Hernan Crespo could hardly fail to score.

At just 18, Messi has already gone down in Argentine history. Better still, he has added his name to the list of a highly exclusive FIFA World Cup club: after Pele (1958), Manuel Rosas (1930) and Michael Owen (1998), he is now the fourth-youngest goalscorer in the history of the tournament. So, what’s next? Will this ambitious youngster be targeting the ultimate goalscorers’ prize: the adidas Golden Shoe? Heaven knows that if anyone is capable of doing it at such a tender age, it’s Messi.

Source: WCoffsite