Image via Complex Original
Photos tell stories. Whether it’s a yearbook picture, some classic family pics, or even those little league baseball cards, they capture memories that'll last a lifetime. We've gathered pics of a number of your favorite—and maybe not so favorite—athletes when they were still wet behind the ears. Because it's always fun to make fun of pics of other people's younger days. Like Kobe making the growl face as a youngster or the fact that a young Michael Jordan resembles Joey Badass. So, from Alex Ovechkin with a toy knife to Blake Griffin chilling poolside with his best bud, make sure you peep this gallery of Your Favorite Athletes as Kids.
RELATED: Gallery: Your Favorite Athletes as Teenagers
Lionel Messi
Fun fact: Messi's youth club known as "The Machine of '87" lost only one match over a four-year span.
Peyton & Eli Manning
The Manning boys look less than thrilled to be taking this picture but Eli rocking that Jersey dress is great.
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LeBron James
The turtle neck/cardigan game hasn't been the same since.
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Alex Ovechkin
This is perfect! We wouldn't expect anything else from the NHL's craziest and most entertaining player. From that awesome hat to that cool knife and the really sweet Buffalo Sabres jacket, you know he was causing problems in elementary school.
Russell Martin and Alex Rodriguez
Aww, check out these two precious little guys. One Yankee fans wish was still playing for the team and the other they wish would go away but keeps sticking around like that herpes simplex virus you picked up during spring break one year. Uhh, not that we know from experience or anything. Anyway, moving right along...
Derek Jeter
You know he struck that kid out and then treated to poor guy's sister to Pizza Hut.
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BJ Upton
If only his brother were in this photo then we could link that awesome Upton meme. Ah, fuck it.
Dwyane Wade
The bow-tie and gold chain combo is undefeated.
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Mickey Mantle
Many championships, home runs, beers, and women to come. Sidebar: Why does this look like a mugshot?
Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur was on it from day one. Some kids play NHL '13 while others are really about that life.
Tom Brady
This kid went on to win three Super Bowls and bag Gisele. There is hope for all the little chubby young'ns out there that want to be quarterback.
Jason Heyward
Word is this photo brings Yankees fans to tears. Keep dreaming, guys. You do have have Vernon Wells after all.
David Wright
"One day I'm going to be captain of one of the most well-known struggle organizations in sports history."
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Rafael Nadal
Nike's had its eye on Nadal for a while. #seewhatwedidthere?
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CC Sabathia
CC was always a horse.
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Maria Sharapova
We're not sure about her form in this photo but what the hell do we know? She went on to become the No. 1 player in the world and rack up four Grand Slam titles so we'll just STFU.
Roger Federer
Rugby or tennis? Seems like dude made the right move.
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Stephen Curry
Steph Curry grew up wanting to be Bo Jackson.
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Blake Griffin
That innocent face would go on to give out some of the most vicous facials the league has ever seen.
Venus and Serena Williams
Such a vicious doubles team. They probably never lost, even then.
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Shaquille O'Neal
The Diesel was easily the biggest kid in the Boys and Girls Club. He was 6'5" by the time he was 10.