Junior Messi: One-year-old Dutch boy signs professional football contract

How often do we read: "Is this the next Messi?" But what about the incredible story about a Dutch footballer, aged one, who has signed a 10-year professional contract with a local club?

Baerke van der Meij has been signed up to his local champion's division football club Venlose Voetbal Vereniging, or VVV, after his dad Jorg posted a YouTube video of the toddler shooting three balls into his toy box last week.

The wonderkid was invited along to the club to join VVV's  star midfielder Ken Leemans during a training session earlier this week where he was presented with the “symbolic” contract.

”The toddler's favourite position has not yet been determined. However, we can speak of a right-footed player with a very good kicking technique, perseverance and, importantly: football genes via his grandfather,” said a VVV Venlo press release.

Everyone in the JOE office has attempted to kick three balls into a treasure chest and not one has achieved the feat. This kid has something special.