Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the most of any player in history. He has also won the UEFA Champions League four times and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona and the Argentina national team. But for Messi, there’s an unusual name that comes up as a childhood idol. “Pablo Aimar was, and is, my idol,” Messi once revealed. “I really like to watch him play and I have followed his career since the beginning at River Plate.”

Pablo Aimar was born in 1979 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his professional career at River Plate in 1997, and quickly established himself as one of the most talented players in the country. He was a creative midfielder who could play anywhere in the midfield and was known for his dribbling ability and passing. He was also known for his ability to score goals from long range.

Aimar moved to Valencia in 2001 and had an immediate impact. He was a key part of the team that won the La Liga title in 2002 and 2004. He also helped Valencia reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2000. He was named La Liga Player of the Year in 2002 and was voted into the UEFA Team of the Year in 2003.

In 2006, Aimar moved to Benfica, where he continued to be a key player. He helped the team win the Portuguese league title in 2009 and 2010. He also won the Portuguese Cup in 2008 and the Portuguese Super Cup in 2009. He was named Portuguese Player of the Year in 2009.

Aimar retired from professional football in 2013 after a short spell at Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. He is now a coach at River Plate, the club where he began his career.

It is clear why Messi idolizes Aimar. They both have a similar playing style, with a focus on dribbling and passing. They both have a creative flair and an eye for goal. Aimar’s career may not have reached the heights of Messi’s, but he was still one of the best players of his generation.

Messi has been inspired by Aimar throughout his career. He has said that he has tried to emulate Aimar’s style of play and has credited him with helping him become the player he is today. Aimar is a role model for Messi and a reminder of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.

Messi and Aimar have never played together, but they have been linked together since Messi’s childhood. They have both been at the top of their game and have been inspirations for generations of footballers. Messi’s admiration for Aimar is a testament to the impact he has had on the game.