Inspired by Messi, driven by mum – how Iorpenda earned his place at Wembley
And it is the first thing the London-born Notts County midfielder thinks of when asked about what it would mean to play at the national stadium on Monday. The Magpies face Salford City in the League Two play-off final – the opposition being a club with strong links to that Manchester United team through the stakes held by members of the Class of '92. "Watching Messi and knowing what he did on that pitch and now thinking I'm about to go and play on the same pitch is definitely exciting for me," Iorpenda told BBC Sport.
"I still watch it back to this day. I just love Messi. "Any game at any level in that stadium gets lots of exposure, and I think it's just a great opportunity.
" Notts County edge Chesterfield in League Two play-offs Chopping trees and country music - how Paterson will prepare for Wembley Messi was just a little older than what Iorpenda is now when he dazzled for Pep Guardiola's Barca in the that famous 3-1 win against the Red Devils 15 years ago. Iorpenda does not bring up the eight-time Ballon d'Or-winning Argentine in way of comparison, although the way the Magpies midfielder swivelled near the halfway line then nutmegged an opponent as he set off on a solo run to score Notts County's goal of the season , external against Cheltenham was the most Messi-esque moment in England's fourth division. "I've always sort of tried to do special things on the pitch, express myself, play with freedom," Iorpenda said.
"But I'd much rather score a lot more goals than special goals. " The recognition Iorpenda got for that goal completed a hat-trick of club prizes, including both the players' player and fans' player of the season awards, in what has been a breakthrough season for the Huddersfield Town loanee. It has all come just a few years after he was doubting his future in the game, having been released by Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion as a 15-year-old.
After spending eight years of his junior development with the Seagulls, he was left to look for a new start - one which took him him more than 400 miles north to Huddersfield. It was a time in his career when he had to rely on the care and understanding of his father Kingsley, who is a youth coach in Brighton, and mother Kate, who is among the founders of No1Fan Club , external – a platform set up to help families navigate football's notoriously challenging and fickle youth system. "My mum's everything.