Aaron Ramsey has revealed a school teacher broke the news to him about his first ever inclusion in a Cardiff City squad.
The Caerphilly-born ace made his senior debut as a substitute during the Bluebirds' clash with Hull City in April 2007.
In featuring against the Tigers at Ninian Park, Ramsey became the capital club's youngster ever player.
But during an Instagram Live chat with former One Direction star Niall Horan, Ramsey revealed Cardiff had to obtain permission of his school before he was granted the opportunity to make his first team bow for his boyhood club as he was only 16 years of age and still in full-time education.
"It was weird. I was still in school at the time. I remember one of my teachers coming up to me, they said they'd just had a phone call from Cardiff City, they had to ask for permission for me to play at the weekend because I was still in school," said the Wales star.
"I thought 'no chance, they would have just told me'.
"I went on my phone at lunchtime. I rang my mum and dad, then my dad phoned me back and said 'it's true, you're in the squad'. I couldn't believe it.
"I'd trained with them [first team squad] a few times but I was never expecting to be in the squad on that day. For that to happen and then for me to go out there and to become the youngest ever player to play for Cardiff, that's what I've been striving for all my life, to make it professionally and to play for Cardiff. To achieve that and to break a record was surreal.
"I walked back into school the next week like Floyd Mayweather. Or Conor McGregor!"
He became a key figure in the side that reached the FA Cup final under Dave Jones in his first full campaign at Cardiff during the 2007/08 season.
And after impressing, Ramsey secured a permanent switch to Arsenal in June 2008, although he did have loan stints with the Bluebirds and Nottingham Forest before becoming a pivotal figure for the Gunners.
He won three FA Cups and two Community Shields with the North Londoners before sealing a move to Juventus last summer.
However, Ramsey hit the headlines during his time at Arsenal after being the victim of a nasty challenge from Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross in 2010.
The Welshman suffered a double leg break, and Ramsey has admitted he initially feared he would never play football again after that incident at the Britannia Stadium.
"I'd just started playing regularly in the first team, and playing well. That happened and it just knocks you for six," he added.
"You just think 'why me, why has it happened?'.
"Especially against Arsenal, that was their game. Kick lumps out of them, every throw-in into the area, set-pieces.
"I was fearing for my career. I was only 19 at the time. I broke my fibula and tibia. I was in the ambulance and all of these things are going through my mind. Will I be able to walk or even play again?
"After a few days you settle a bit and the doctors say you'll make a full recovery. You have messages from other people who have had similar injuries as well. Djibril Cissé messaged me, he had a couple [of serious injuries], but I had loads from all different sports. It was nice to be reassured that I would come back."
The midfielder has since enjoyed a glittering career and remains a key player for both club and country.
Ramsey's double saw Wales beat Hungary 2-0 at Cardiff City Stadium in November last year.
It was a victory that ensured Ryan Giggs' side qualified for Euro 2020, although the tournament will now be played in the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Still at the right side of 30, Ramsey has already amassed 60 caps for his country, netting 16 goals in those outings.
He was handed the captain's armband by Gary Speed in 2011, and Ramsey has credited the former Wales player and manager as being one of the key figures in the nation's recent footballing success.
"We've had our fair share of bad days with Wales," added the 29-year-old.
"But to achieve what we have in a short space of time, it all started when Gary Speed took over and got the ball rolling. Everything was a lot more professionally run.
"He made me the youngest ever captain. For what he's achieved in the game as well in the centre of the park like me, and for him to believe in me and trust me with the armband, it was so nice for me to have his backing.
"What a lovely fella. He's got a beautiful family as well, and he was just a lovely guy.
"He was a leader and a gentleman. It was a great combination that made him what he was."
