A different Lionel Messi could be on show as the Argentine star prepares for his sixth FIFA World Cup.
The 38-year-old, who made his Barcelona debut as a dazzling teenage winger in 2003, has transformed his game over the years to remain among football's elite players.
Former Barcelona coaches Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola gradually shifted Messi from the wing into a more central role, where he became the team's main creator and attacking force.
Messi has represented Argentina at five FIFA World Cups, including Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Now relying more on vision, passing and positioning than pace, Messi continues to influence matches at the highest level more than two decades after his professional debut.
Source: BBC Sports
