Barcelona club president Sandro Rosell has made the astonishing revelation that in a poll conducted amongst fans 2% said they did not want Lionel Messi in their team.

Since he joined the club in 2000, aged 13, Messi has scored 220 league goals in 248 matches, won six La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues trophies and the Spanish Cup, the European Super Cup and Club World Cup twice each.

His list of accolades could fill a short novel and this season alone he has already netted five goals in just two matches, scoring twice in their opening league game against Levante and a hat-trick in a 3-2 win against Valencia.