Such is the desperation to cling on to the Lionel Messi era, there is always the temptation to nickname a young prodigy after the modern legend.
A flattering but potentially harmful comparison has had differing impacts on players in the past as dozens of wonderkids attempted to live up to the Argentinian’s legacy – something which appears, quite frankly, impossible.
But where are those players who were dubbed ‘the next Messi’ now and what happened to their careers?
Young Turkey star Guler had both Real Madrid and Barcelona calling for him in the summer of 2023 but eventually opted for the Bernabeu over Camp Nou.
The youngster, quickly dubbed ‘the Turkish Messi’ for his star turns at Fenerbahce, has no plans to leave on loan and is fully set on succeeding in Madrid.
The comparisons between Messi and Bojan were obvious. Both diminutive, floppy-haired La Masia graduates with excellent close control and dribbling abilities, the pair were teammates for a little over four years at Camp Nou.
While the Spaniard managed a combined 60 goals and assists in 163 Barcelona matches, he couldn’t quite put up Messi-esque numbers. He spent time at Roma and AC Milan before proving he could occasionally do it on a wet and windy Tuesday night in Stoke.
He retired at just 32 years of age after a period in Japan with Vissel Kobe, where he reunited with Andres Iniesta, and is now considering a move into the competitive world of gravel racing, a bike-based sport.
Despite having bounced around both the Real Madrid and Liverpool youth systems, Bruna most recently played his football in Northern Ireland for Dungannon Swifts.
In a career that has mainly consisted of lower league football in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Argentine has played for Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Whitehawk and Derry City.
Once dubbed the Israeli Messi, Assulin was another product of Barcelona’s youth set-up. However, he made just one appearance for La Blaugrana in the Copa del Rey before moving to Manchester City’s academy.
Brighton fans with a keen memory may remember his seven appearances on the south coast in 2012. He is now a free agent at 32 after a recent stint in the lower Italian divisions.
With two Champions League trophies, one Premier League title and three Meisterschales under his belt, Shaqiri has enjoyed a wonderful career in spite of links to Messi.
The Swiss international’s dynamite left-foot and wonderful agility probably sparked comparisons, although he possesses a much stockier build and less pace than the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Inter and Stoke supporters have all witnessed first hand the magician’s brilliance. He now plays in Major League Soccer.
Having been mightily impressive during his time in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach, Chelsea were convinced to part with £6.5m for Marko Marin.
However, he only made 16 appearances for the Blues and has since travelled a lot in search of regular football, playing in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Belgium, Serbia, Hungary and Saudi Arabia.
Iturbe seemed a fitting name for the turbo-charged winger who has played all over the world. His peak days were at Roma where he made 68 appearances, but he failed to live up to potential.
Having just joined Gremio in Brazil this summer, the Paraguay international has spent a significant part of his career in the Americas.
A one-club man, Muniain is considered a legend at Athletic Club.
Over 500 appearances after his debut in the 2009/10 season, the attacking midfielder is still going strong at San Mames having netted over 70 times for the Spanish side.
A tricky winger who was expected to make his breakthrough at Arsenal in the early 2010s, Miyaichi only made seven appearances for the Gunners, albeit he did win the FA Cup.
The Japan international played for Bolton Wanderers and Wigan, as well as Feyenoord and St. Pauli on the continent, and has since returned to his homeland to play for Yokohama Marinos. Miyaichi has only managed 196 appearances in his career so far having struggled for game time everywhere he has been.
Having initially attracted attention at youth level for Dinamo Zagreb in his home country, Halilovic also made the move to La Masia. Similarly to Assulin, he made just one Barcelona appearance in the Copa del Rey and eventually ended up at AC Milan where he struggled to impress.
Despite boasting ten national team appearances, Halilovic has also spent recent time in the Championship with Reading and Birmingham City.
Gauld had the weight and expectation of a nation on his back as he emerged from Dundee United at 17 years old. The whole of Scotland was praying for his success, with the youngster opting for a move to Sporting CP to continue his development.
The Scot has not enjoyed the most fruitful period in Portugal where he has spent the majority of his career, and, now at Vancouver Whitecaps, is yet to make an appearance for the Tartan Army.
The player who has come closest to matching Messi’s legacy and quality is Liverpool’s Egyptian winger. A left foot as good as anybody’s, Salah has managed a whopping 265 combined goals and assists in 305 appearances for the Reds.
That’s closer to Messi numbers.
Another player to come through La Masia, Lee Seung-woo didn’t even manage a minute for Barcelona.
After bouncing around various European leagues, the left winger has since returned to South Korea to play for Suwon FC. At 25 years old, he has already made 11 appearances for the national team.
After becoming Real Madrid’s youngest ever player at 16, it looked for a little while as if Odegaard’s potential would be wasted.
However, loans to the Netherlands and Real Sociedad before a permanent move to Arsenal have helped the Norwegian blossom into one of the most devastating players in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s influence is clear and he continues to thrive at the Emirates.
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