Thursday 22 March 2018 17:17, UK
Lionel Messi delighted children at Manchester City's Academy when he made a surprise visit to a training session on Thursday.
The five-time world player of the year has been based at the club's training complex this week as he and his Argentina team-mates prepare for a friendly against Italy at the Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Accompanied by City favourite Sergio Aguero, who has since been ruled out of Friday's game through injury, Messi made the day for some of the club's U7 and U8 sides as he took time out to watch the children.
Both Messi and Aguero were happy to pose for photographs with the youngsters, which were later published on the club's Academy Twitter feed.
