UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE 2018 WORLD CUP

The story of one of the greatest footballers of all time, Barcelona and Argentina's Lionel Messi.

'I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi' Diego Maradona

Despite all the fame and adulation, remarkably little is known about Lionel Messi, the modest and intensely private footballing genius. Just how did the boy from Rosario, Argentina, become the world's greatest player?

Guillem Balague has had unprecedented access to Messi's inner circle: his coaches, team-mates and family. In addition, Pep Guardiola has provided exclusive analysis of the player. The result is an authoritative and compelling account of the wonderful mystery that is Messi.

'I can tell my grandkids one day that I coached Lionel Messi' Pep Guardiola