Royston Drenthe. Remember him?

The Dutch winger, this time a decade ago, was widely regarded as one of European football’s most exciting young talents.

Named the best player at the 2007 UEFA Under-21 Championship, Drenthe was snapped up by Real Madrid several weeks later when Feyenoord reluctantly accepted a €14 million offer.

Drenthe had the world at his feet and couldn’t have made a better start to his Los Blancos debut, scoring a magnificent 40-yard equaliser against Sevilla in the Spanish Supercup.

Madrid fans hoped it was a sign of things to come - but little could they have imagined that goal would end up being the highlight of his club career.

Drenthe lost confidence at the Bernabeu as the weeks and months passed, and eventually found himself at Hercules on loan during the 2010-11 campaign.

Messi teaches Drenthe a lesson

And it was during his loan spell with Hercules when, in the 21st minute of the match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, he probably realised he wasn’t as good as he thought.

Drenthe picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch but lost possession to Messi after stumbling over his own feet while performing a step-over.

Messi then picked up the ball and made Drenthe look ridiculous with a quite magnificent run.

Watch it here…

Barcelona actually lost the match 2-0

Bizarrely, Barcelona actually lost this match 2-0.

A brace from Nelson Valdez secured a famous victory for Hercules who were related at the end of the season.

What happened to Drenthe?

Following Hercules’ relegation, Drenthe went on to spend the 2011-12 campaign with Everton. Despite the odd flash of brilliance, the one-time Netherlands international failed to earn himself a permanent contract at Goodison Park.

He then went on to have spells with Alania Vladikavkaz, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Kayseri Erciyesspor and, most recently, Baniyas.

After struggling to find a new club earlier this year, it was revealed that Drenthe had turned his focus to a new career in hip hop.

Imagine what might have happened had Messi not humiliated him seven years ago…