Famous Footballers When They Were Kids - in Pictures
By Tom Gott
Footballers are some of the most recognisable people on the planet. You don't even need to be a fan of the sport to know who some of the big guns are.
We all know how they look now, but how could you recognise some of the game's top players from earlier in their careers?
Some look very similar, but some look... well, just see for yourself.
1. Manuel Neuer
@Manuel_Neuer Back In The Days...#MiaSanMia #FCB @FCBayern Here Is Your Boy When He Was A Kid ! One Of The Best Ever pic.twitter.com/zrBAbTyMgQ
— Football Tweets (@FotTwe) November 23, 2015
Manuel Neuer here, looking like he could save a football team from defeat and a 90s boy band from dropping out the charts.
2. David de Gea
David De Gea as a child. pic.twitter.com/KlCol4tE2t
— The Antique Football (@AntiqueFootball) September 1, 2015
If you thought David de Gea had a baby face when he first joined Manchester United, get a load of this.
3. Timo Werner
Timo Werner ich will ein Kind von dir aber es soll idd aussehen wie du früher pic.twitter.com/NE3wHxHZgb
— Tanzmaus Vi0ler ? (@Vi0laVeilchen) May 23, 2020
Nothing to see here, just a young Timo Werner being used to sell Kinder chocolate in Germany.
4. Lionel Messi
PHOTO: A young Lionel Messi as a child #fcblive #barça #messi pic.twitter.com/fQwPs1j4
— FCBarcelonaFl #StayHome ? (@FCBarcelonaFl) July 16, 2012
The future six-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.
5. Bruno Fernandes
2012: Novara Calcio sign 18-year-old Bruno Fernandes for 40K€. pic.twitter.com/N1PeqYmY0r
— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) February 1, 2020
Bruno Fernandes was rocking the most 2012 haircut and jumper/shirt combo you've ever seen when he joined Novara.
6. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry as a child. pic.twitter.com/PtGShddrZJ
— The Antique Football (@AntiqueFootball) January 16, 2014
The quality of the image might be abysmal, but that afro certainly isn't.
7. Robin van Persie
A young Robin Van Persie poses with an Adidas Questra. pic.twitter.com/XqO4aUo8WN
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 21, 2014
I'm sure he'll grow into that shirt one day.
What's that? You want a bonus one?
The Young Robin van Persie pic.twitter.com/rjUBBuGh
— ARSENAL (@tomgunner14) June 4, 2012
8. Diego Costa
17 year-old Diego Costa looks like he's in a teen drama being played by a 34 year old. pic.twitter.com/bGcGupOYt9
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) April 8, 2016
Nice to see Diego Costa has always looked like a middle-aged man who hates absolutely everything.
9. Steven Gerrard
Gerrard as an young Everton fan posing with trophies. #SBMeme pic.twitter.com/xQMEOeprlv
— Scoryboard (@Scoryboard) July 29, 2014
Well, this is awkward...
10. David Beckham
Sir Alex and a young David Beckham. pic.twitter.com/ykYhgQymBZ
— PurelyFootball UK (@PurelyFootball) April 9, 2015
A two-for-one here. Not only do you get David Beckham sporting the least David Beckham-style haircut ever, as you get a young Sir Alex Ferguson as well!
11. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne as a kid. I dont see much of a difference lol pic.twitter.com/S35HRHnW1P
— Thanseem Mohamed (@thanseem27) August 12, 2013
Kevin De Bruyne the Liverpool fan giving his first ever interview, before he became KDB the Chelsea fan and KDB the Man City fan.
12. Alan Shearer
Top Panini sticker of the day : Legend - Alan SHEARER - Southampton 1992 pic.twitter.com/Slae0IQEXJ
— Old School Panini (@OldSchoolPanini) March 7, 2013
Alan Shearer with hair will never not be bizarre.
Alan Shearer as a Southampton schoolboy. pic.twitter.com/LrsNzvB6XI
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) July 18, 2019
13. Antoine Griezmann
Jeune & innocent...Antoine Griezmann #AllezLesBleus #Euro2016Final @AntoGriezmann @PierreMenes @IsaHorlans @fxmenage pic.twitter.com/XHjLMqcJLK
— Christian & Vincent (@GarconsOfficiel) July 10, 2016
Griezmann here, rocking his finest Auxerre shirt and hoop earring. What a combo. Not his last bold look.
14. Mesut Özil
Mesut Ozil in his Schalke days. Ready to gun down Man Utd. #Arsenal, #afc pic.twitter.com/MXLTlkPG8r
— DENNIS ? (@DennisIghodaro) November 10, 2013
A mullet and a fauxhawk?
Don't worry, he got his own Kinder chocolate bar as well...
Mesut Ozil assisting kids cravings in Germany before he had even played a professional game
— Elliot ? (@LacaSweat) March 31, 2019
Greatest playmaker of all time. pic.twitter.com/lMG6lCQ6EZ
15. Jack Wilshere
Young Jack Wilshere pic.twitter.com/bhhR7CKxoG
— Amin (@ArsenalRealm) October 21, 2013
Shame that bowl cut didn't last longer.