A footballer being considered 'too short' before going on to launch a successful career at the top level is a tale as old as time.
While the game has moved on from the attritional style of play so prevalent in its early days, the idea that players who don't boast the kind of physical attributes to initially intimidate the opposition can't succeed still lingers.
Perhaps the most famous example of this is a certain Lionel Messi.
When arriving at Barcelona as a youngster, the Argentine prodigy was undertaking treatment for a growth hormone deficiency and much was made about his comparatively small stature.
Of course, it seems almost too obvious to point out that it hasn't held him back over the course of arguably the most remarkable career in the history of the game, but it all does add to the legend.
Still, it's easy to forget that - on the face of it - Messi doesn't necessarily look like a footballer. That is certainly not a criticism but, when compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, the level of natural talent he must have is really brought into light.
Speaking of Ronaldo (as tiresome as the constant debate can be at times), the 36-year-old's mother recently shared an interesting fact about her grandson.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who has often been seen accompanying his father to various events over the years while playing for the Juventus youth academy, reportedly thought Messi was too 'short'.
Indeed, when meeting him at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2017, Ronaldo's mother - Dolores Aveiro - revealed that her grandson did not believe it was actually Messi he had bumped into, believing the individual lacked the height to seriously be one of the best players of all time.
“I was with him and I said, ‘look, it's Messi,’ and he replied, ‘that's not Messi, he's short,’" he said (via The Sun.)
“Then my son encouraged him to wave. Messi is a very good person.
“My grandson is already taller than him, [laughs] it was a very fun moment.”