AS the soccer fraternity awaits the inevitable heroics at the World Cup Finals in South Africa, one individual is already under exceptional scrutiny: Lionel Messi.

At only 22 years of age, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year has drawn favourable comparisons with the legendary Pele and countryman Diego Maradona and could be the inspiration behind a possible Argentine victory, which is a debatable topic all around.

Messi’s history is a special one because as a promising youngster, he suffered from a disease that retarded his natural physical growth. He was subsequently treated by medics associated with astute Spanish club Barcelona, which, in a leap of faith, had signed him to their youth programme when he was barely 13 years old.

That this masterly move now has Barcelona smiling from ear to ear is as justified as it is without question, as the diminutive left-footed phenomenon has repaid them ten-fold in the form of cherished domestic and European silverware, as well as sustained visibility and prestige in a competitive global arena.

At this juncture, the uncomplicated truth is that Messi cannot be easily bought as he would no doubt command somewhere in excess of £100 million, if current trends are to be considered.

The Messi saga inexorably brings forth the observation that a homogenous factor among sporting superstars seems to be their very early beginnings. Tiger Woods, Venus and Serena Williams, Sir Garry Sobers, Brian Lara, Usain Bolt, Pele, Veronica Campbell and Mike Tyson are but a few of those who achieved international stardom before the age of 25.

The embattled Woods and the aforementioned tennis duo are perhaps the most eminent in regard to an early start as they are famously captured on tape at the incredible ages three, five and seven, respectively, under the assiduous tutelage of their fathers.

That all three owe their career successes to parental vision and guidance in traditionally white-dominated sports — with their attendant pressures and prejudices — is not only astounding, but also a separate theme which merits exploration.

A perusal of the records reveals that both Venus and Serena turned professional at the age of 14. And even though Woods went to college before turning pro, he was just 21 when he copped his first Major title — the Masters at storied Augusta in 1997.

Since then, he has gone on to nab another 13 Grand Slams and is now on the threshold of Jack Nicklaus’ incredible record of 18 titles.

Venus and Serena, meanwhile, have made their mark on the tennis world by respectively copping seven and 11 Grand Slam singles victories, and a host of doubles accolades as a team.

Serena, we may remember, won her first major title — the 1999 US Open — at the age of 18, while Venus followed suit two years later, at 20.

Of even more relevance within the prevailing atmosphere is Pele, who surged to international prominence at 17 when he helped Brazil to capture the World Cup trophy in Sweden in 1958. To this day, Pele remains the youngest player to have achieved this feat in the history of the tournament.

Closer home, we recall that in 1957, at age 21, Sobers slammed a word record score of 365 not out against Pakistan at Sabina Park and held that seemingly impassable mark for some 37 years until 24-year-old Lara blasted an amazing 375 against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 1994.

Bolt, fast becoming the most famous among child prodigies, was a World Youth 200 metres champion at 15, and triple Olympic and world champion at ages 21 and 22, respectively.

In recollecting even more, Tyson became the youngest ever heavyweight boxing champion at 20, at a time when the sport was credible and in large measure bereft of the circus image that it now portrays.

Considering the popular scientific theory that sportsmen are expected to peak at around age 28, the aforementioned achievements become even more remarkable.

Again, if that hypothesis holds true, the sporting world could be in for more prodigious performances from a Usain Bolt who, barring injury, still has another five years or so before he is expected to hit his zenith.

A few notable exceptions in the aforementioned discourse are Michael Jordan and Michael Johnson. The former was an outstanding college basketball player and turned pro at age 21. However, he had to wait seven years to lift the biggest prize in his sport — the NBA title — in 1991.

‘Superman’ Johnson, meanwhile, was 29 when he broke the 200 metres world record and 32 when he did likewise over 400 metres.

Overall, the age statistics makes for interesting discussion, even at face value. However, it goes further by indicating that parents and wards should encourage early participation in sport among youngsters as they could be giving an important jump start to future world beaters.