Lionel Messi’s origin story goes viral: 1996 Newell’s Old Boys clip shows him channeling Diego Maradona at age 9 (VIDEO)

A rare 1996 clip of a nine-year-old Lionel Messi has gone viral, stirring deep emotions among fans, former players, and even Newell’s Old Boys itself.

In an era where digital moments fade fast, a rediscovered VHS tape from nearly three decades ago has rekindled memories of soccer’s most iconic number 10. A rare 1996 clip of a nine-year-old Lionel Messi has gone viral, stirring deep emotions among fans, former players, and even Newell’s Old Boys itself. The footage is more than just a childhood moment—it’s a prophetic glimpse of greatness to come. 

The video, recently uploaded to YouTube by user Matías Sauro, showcases a young Messi during post-match celebrations at El Coloso Marcelo Bielsa, Newell’s Old Boys’ stadium. According to Sauro, the footage had been quietly stored away for almost 30 years. Its resurfacing was timed serendipitously, just days after Messi’s 38th birthday. 

What it captured stunned the internet. 

Hidden treasure that took 30 years to emerge

In the grainy clip, Messi—wearing a red-and-black No. 11 shirt and casual canvas sneakers—juggles the ball on the pitch as the crowd chants “Marado, Marado.” 
The chant wasn’t new. Argentina had idolized Diego Maradona for decades. But now, here was a boy not even 10 years old, being compared to Maradona by a stadium full of believers. 

The occasion was a celebration for the youth team known as the “Maquina del ’87” (Machine of ’87), who had just returned from Peru as champions of the 1996 Copa Internacional de la Amistad. The stadium was full, emotions were high—and Messi stood in the spotlight, juggling the ball with eerie calm and supreme control. 

Even at that age, the signs of brilliance were unmistakable. 

Prophecy in motion 

Seeing a child juggling a ball on a dusty pitch is not uncommon in South America. But seeing a crowd chant “Marado” for him before his teenage years—and being proven right over two decades later—is something truly surreal. From the streets of Rosario to the summit of global soccer, Messi’s journey was already taking shape that night in 1996. 

What this footage reveals is not just raw talent. It shows a moment when an entire stadium felt they were witnessing destiny unfold. And as history now confirms, they were absolutely right.