Lionel Messi via REUTERS/Albert Gea
It's always hard to predict the next big thing in football. After all, so many talented players burst onto the scene, but then fade away just as quickly as they arrived. Lionel Messi, however, is one example of a prospect living up to the hype.
Now 39, the Argentine made his debut for Barcelona in a friendly against Porto way back in 2003. He was just 16 at the time, and in the incredible 23 years since, he has won essentially everything the sport has to offer.
From league titles in Spain and France to his eight Ballon d'Or triumphs, not forgetting four Champions Leagues and, of course, the World Cup, Messi has pretty much lifted every trophy that matters in football. With that in mind, it's interesting to learn what players he has backed to also achieve greatness.
In 2020, Messi tipped four Englishmen to have special careers. They've all had mixed careers since, with none making Thomas Tuchel's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Phil Foden
phil foden
Picking Phil Foden as a big prospect in 2020 wasn't exactly a hot take. After all, the youngster had already won the Premier League twice by that stage, but he's since gone on to win the prize four more times as his role for Manchester City in those victories grew bigger with each year.
His best season arguably came in 2023/24 as he was named Premier League Player of the Season, although he also won the treble (including the Champions League) the campaign before. In recent times, however, the player has struggled and failed to make England's 2026 World Cup squad after a disappointing season.
What Messi said:
"Will do amazing things in the game. He has huge talent."
Mason Mount
mason mount man utd
At the time, Mason Mount was one of the brightest prospects at Chelsea, breaking his way into the first team in late 2019. Messi's shout looked particularly good in 2021, when the midfielder picked up a Champions League-winning assist as the Blues beat Man City 1-0 in the European final.
Mount was named as the club's Player of the Season both that year and the year after, but his form then hit a dip. Chelsea opted to cash in and sell him to Manchester United in 2023, but fitness issues have prevented him from making a great impact at Old Trafford. He's scored just five league goals since, and hasn't played for England since the 2022 World Cup.
What Messi said:
Jeffren Suarez celebrates scoring the third goal for Barcelona with Lionel Messi and Pedro
Jeffren Suarez celebrates scoring the third goal for Barcelona with Lionel Messi and Pedro
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho during a pre-match warm-up with Chelsea
Jadon Sancho's career really is a curious one. It wasn't just Messi singing his praises in 2020, as the young Englishman was on fire at Borussia Dortmund. He scored 53 goals and picked up 67 assists for the German club before joining Man Utd in 2021.
That £73m transfer yielded just 12 goals in 84 games as Sancho was subsequently sent on loan to Chelsea and then Aston Villa. He did little to revive his reputation at either club and now in 2026 finds himself unemployed as a free agent after his contract with the Red Devils finally expired. What's more, to keep himself fit, he's training with non-league club Flixton FC this summer.
What Messi said:
"His ability to dribble past defenders is impressive."
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Lee Smith via Reuters
It would have been no shock to see Messi predict a big future for Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2020. After all, both men were on the pitch in 2019 as Liverpool came from three goals down to beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. The right-back picked up two assists on that night and then started as Jurgen Klopp's men later won the final.
Alexander-Arnold went on to win two league titles at Liverpool, plus the FA Cup, League Cup and the Club World Cup before departing for Real Madrid in 2025. His time in Spain hasn't been a flying success yet, and this meant Tuchel left him at home for the World Cup this summer. Even so, the 27-year-old has had a fine career, and could yet achieve even more great things.