'Humble' Messi stuns onlookers by training at local gym

Lionel Messi has stunned Rosario locals after training in a public gym as he looks to keep fit over the festive season.

Currently on a break with Barcelona's next game not until January 4 against Espanyol, Messi was spotted working out back home in Argentina on New Year's Eve.

But rather than using his own private gym, the 32-year-old opted to train alongside his fellow countrymen and quickly caused quite a stir.

"He entered as one more, I could not believe it," gym worker Valentina Jure told Rosario Nuestro. "He used the machines like anyone else, he was smiling with everyone.

"I can't believe it, my phone literally exploded. Journalists and people from all over the world wrote to me."

Funnily enough, while Messi kept fit on one of the treadmills his own Barcelona highlights just happened to be playing right in front of him.

Though no doubt spurring the six-time Ballon d'Or winner on as he trained, Valentina stressed Messi didn't purposely seek out his own highlight reel.

"I want to say that the channel with his goals was already set when he arrived," she said.

"I like to clarify it because people have written to me saying that it is self-centered but it was nothing like that - he was super humble with everyone while we were there."