They say Lionel Messi might just be the greatest player of all time. Well, if the following ten youngsters’ billings of “the new Messi” are each to be believed, then we’re in for one hell of a footballing decade or two. Sport.co.uk implores you to remember the following names (or at least try)…
Marko Marin (Werder Bremen)
Age: 21
The young winger already has seven full caps for Germany but, at 21, he faces a race against time to be “the new Messi”. He has been described as "an attacking midfielder of lilliputian dimensions", which basically means that Sport.co.uk has learned a new word. (It means he's small, by the way.)
Matias Defederico (Corinthians)
Age: 20
Otherwise known as “El Pibe de Oro del Parque San Jorge” (or “The Golden Boy from Saint George Park”). Snappy.
Eden Hazard (Lille)
Age: 19
The young Belgian impressed against Liverpool when the two sides met in the Europa League recently and he has been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Gai Assulin (Barcelona)
Age: 18
The Israeli winger has a bright future in the humorous name department and is also quite handy at footy, apparently.
Mauro Icardi (Barcelona)
Age: 16
Argentine kid who signed for the Catalan giants when he was just 14. “We are talking about a player that could create history if he carries on evolving in the same manner,” said Real Madrid’s South American scout Sixto Alfonso.
Veljko Batrovic (FK Bubamara)
Age: 15
The Serbian wonderkid had trials with Arsenal in August and he has also been ‘monitored’ by Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Park Sheng-Ho (Barcelona)
Age: 13
Dubbed “the South Korean Messi”, he has already signed a sponsorship deal with Nike.
Guido Vadala (Provincial)
Age: 12
Recently had successful trials at Barcelona. “Guido Vadala es el nuevo Messi” asserts ligafutbol.net. So there you have it.
Edgardo Obregon (AC Milan)
Age: 11
The Mexican prodigy, also known as Gato, signed for Milan ahead of Barcelona when he was just 9.
Madin Mohammed
Age: 7
Christian Lazaoui, president of Roubaix, Madin's local club, told The Sun: "He has an amazing talent. He plays every day and has a great passion for football. He can cross the ball, control it, swerve, pass between the legs – he is spectacular with the ball... he really is magic with it.” Chelsea and Real Madrid are said to be keeping the relevant ‘tabs’.