In Arsenal's Premier League winning campaign last season, 16-year-old Max Dowman lived out his dream having been able to make a total of 11 appearances for the club's senior squad.

He also became the youngest ever player to score in the English top flight when he scored in the 2-0 win over Everton back in March at the Emirates and also set the record for being the youngest ever player to appear in a Champions League match when he was still 15 in Arsenal's 3-0 win at Slavia Praha in November.

So far this season, Dowman has only made two appearances for Arsenal's first team, having split his time with the reserve squad, though he was on the bench for the Gunners' 1-0 win at Napoli in their first Champions League match of the season.

He bagged a brace in the 4-2 win over Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup third round having started and played the full 90 minutes for that affair.

In the Premier League, he's only made a nine-minute cameo in the shock 3-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion just before the international break, but he'll certainly get more chances as the season progresses, injuries occur, and matches come thick and fast across all competitions.

Because Dowman is still so young, too, Arteta and the club want to be careful with his development and load management so that his upward trajectory doesn't get needlessly derailed.

Nonetheless, Arsenal have a bright talent on their hands and even Lionel Messi sees the potential in the youngster.

Lionel Messi Names Max Dowman Among His Rising Stars

Lionel Messi has picked Dowman as one of his top ten under-21 rising talents in Adidas' Messi +10 series in a slightly cryptic social media video clip promoting the series.

The names of the players on his top ten list are scattered throughout the teaser clip in different locations, but Dowman's name is clearly visible at about the 16 second mark.

In addition to Dowman, Messi's list of top ten U-21 rising stars includes Crystal Palace's Zavier Gozo, Club Tijuana's Gilberto Mora, Boca Juniors' Tomas Aranda, Eintracht Frankfurt's Can Uzun, Como's Jesus Rodriguez, AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, Chelsea Women's Chloe Sarwie, OL Lyonnes' Giovanna Waksman, and Hamburg SV Women's Lotta Wrede.

For the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, all ten of these youngsters across world football are destined for glory in their respective careers.

Mikel Arteta Reacts to Messi's Praise for Max Dowman

For Mikel Arteta, he's very much in agreement with Messi as far as Dowman's future is concerned, based on what he's seen of the youngster thus far. He's flattered that the Argentine also noticed the potential of Arsenal's number 56.

"If Messi, who is the best ever player, says that, his eyes are I think better than anybody else’s. Hopefully he’s right," the Arsenal manager said in the press conference ahead of the Champions League clash against Lille.

When Arteta was asked what about Dowman has caught Messi's eye, he simply said "that he’s got something special."

"In the few appearances that he had, he’s already done remarkable things. That’s somebody that is touched with a special gift. He’s a joy to watch. The way he moves, the way he touches the ball, the way he carries himself, it’s just different. And that's what makes him unique," Arteta continued in his admiration of Dowman.

For Dowman, the recognition from Messi and the praise from Arteta offer further encouragement as he continues his development at Arsenal.

At just 16, he still has plenty of time to learn, improve and adapt to senior football. The priority now will be to build on his early promise, take his opportunities when they arrive and continue progressing without unnecessary pressure on his shoulders.