FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has spoken about the first time he saw superstar Lionel Messi in training, and how impressive the Argentine was.

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Messi broke into the Blaugrana's senior team when he was 16 years old, after impressing many at the famous La Masia academy.

Xavi, who is also an academy graduate, has not forgotten the first time he trained with Messi, who left him amazed at how good he was already.

"They'd already told me about this kid, and I'd been warned that this young Argentinean kid was coming through who was very good. They'd even mentioned his name, but I'd forgotten," Xavi told AS.

"But then, when I saw him in training aged just 16, I could see exactly what they were on about.

"There was a training drill we used to do in which players are one-on-one against (Lillian) Thuram, and (Carles) Puyol... I saw Messi take on those two and couldn't believe my eyes.

"I thought: 'Blimey, here this kid who's only 16 years old, dodging past professional defenders, internationals.'

"Even then you could tell he was different. It's apparent that he has an innate talent when he is one-against-one, he's fast, he scores goals, he passes, shoots, he's terrific."

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Messi has gone on to make 603 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 523 goals and assisting a further 235 strikes.

Do you think we will ever see another player like the Argentine? Have your say in the comments section below.