In a recent interview with French football magazine So Foot, the former Barcelona trickster explained he had no intention of having cosmetic dental surgery as his smile has made him recognisable to millions and is a part of who he is.

However, according to recent reports, it appears the 33-year-old had second thoughts and has undergone surgery to have his teeth straightened and realigned.

It's believed a Brazilian surgeon spent less than an hour carrying out the procedure, with the operation involving the insertion of porcelain veneers and surgery on the gums.

Brazilian newspaper O Globo say the two-time FIFA world player of the year had the work done on Tuesday in the city of Belo Horizonte and trained with his Atletico Mineiro team-mates soon after.