Lionel Messi apparently came close to signing for Scottish club Rangers as a 17-year-old all because of a computer game.
The Argentina and Barcelonasuperstar is widely thought of as one of the greatest ever players to kick a ball, and has been awarded the Ballon d'Or awardon five separate occasions.
However, the forward's career could have looked completely different if Football Manager had had it's way according to theMirror.
Leo Messi to Rangers? It could've happened and all thanks to @FootballManager | @milesSIhttps://t.co/RxxxUAzaWp pic.twitter.com/m99OVBHRtr
Football Manager creator Miles Jacobson has explained how his game almost persuaded the thenRangers manager to sign Messi.
Alex McLeish was manager of the Scottish clubin 2004, when Messi was only 17. However, on the popular management simulationgame, the Argentinewas set as one of the most promising young talents in football.
McLeish's son was a huge fan of the game and constantly begged his father to sign a young Messi because of his talent prediction in the virtual world.
Unfortunately for Rangers fans it didn't come to fruition as the future superstarscored twice on his debut and was subsequently prevented fromgoing out on loan.
Football Manager has a knack for picking out the next generation's greatest and another superstar star could be uncovered on Football Manager 17, so managers pay close attention.