How did Messi or C.Ronaldo become what they are today?

I am asking because becoming a football star was my biggest dream, but its too late for me now, so i want one of my little brothers to become a Star player like Messi, or atleast to become professional at the highest level like playing in EPL, Serie A or La Liga. I want to know how fx C. Ronaldo is the player he is today, was he lucky (talent is not enough sometimes u gotta have the luck aswell) or did he just work really hard for it?