In football, few players have ever reached the level of Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, having achieved remarkable success with both FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Throughout his career, many young players have been compared to him, labeled as "the next Lionel Messi" due to their playing style, technical ability, or early promise. So Win Tips will find out the answer to this question and see if there is a player who can be considered "the next Messi".
Who is the next Lionel Messi?
Below are the names with the most potential to replace Messi:
Giovani dos Santos
Giovani dos Santos was once viewed as a generational talent when he graduated from La Masia, Barcelona’s world-famous youth academy. Born in Mexico, he joined Barcelona at a young age and showed incredible promise, earning comparisons to Messi due to his dribbling skills, creativity, and technical brilliance. While he was not an out-and-out goal scorer like the Argentine, his ability to beat defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities made him an exciting prospect.
In the 2007–08 season, Dos Santos made 26 league appearances for Barcelona, even managing to score three goals. However, despite his promise, he failed to establish himself in the first team. In 2008, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a transfer that was expected to propel his career forward. Unfortunately, his time in England was disappointing. He struggled to adapt to the physicality of the league, and his time at Spurs was largely spent on loan at various clubs.
Gerard Deulofeu
Gerard Deulofeu is another La Masia graduate who was seen as a natural successor to Messi. His pace, dribbling, and flair made him stand out at the youth level, and many at Barcelona believed he could develop into one of the best wingers in the world. However, despite flashes of brilliance, his career never reached the level that had been expected.
Deulofeu played in multiple countries, with spells in England (Everton, Watford), Italy (AC Milan, Udinese), and Spain (Barcelona, Sevilla). While he had some successful moments, particularly at Watford and Udinese, he never cemented himself as an elite player. One of the biggest criticisms of Deulofeu has been his inconsistency—at times, he was capable of producing moments of magic, but he often disappeared in important matches.
Bojan Krkic
Perhaps no player suffered more from being labeled as "the next Messi" than Bojan Krkic. Unlike Dos Santos and Deulofeu, Bojan was seen as the true heir to Messi’s throne at Barcelona. His rapid rise through La Masia, his incredible goal-scoring record at youth level, and his technical ability all made him one of the most exciting prospects of his generation.
At just 17 years old, Bojan made his debut for Barcelona, breaking several records in the process. During his early years at the club, he played alongside Messi, and many believed that he would eventually take over as the club’s main star. However, despite a promising start, his development stalled. The pressure of being constantly compared to Messi seemed to weigh heavily on him, affecting his confidence and performance.
Is Lamine Yamal the next Messi?
Today, a new name is emerging in football discussions—Lamine Yamal. The young Spanish winger, who is also a product of La Masia, has been drawing comparisons to Messi due to his dribbling ability, vision, and creativity. At just 16 years old, he is already playing for Barcelona’s first team, and his performances have been impressive.
However, as history has shown, being labeled as "the next Messi" is often a burden rather than a blessing. Many players before Yamal were given the same title, only to struggle under immense pressure. While he has shown great promise, it is crucial to allow him to develop naturally rather than place unrealistic expectations on his shoulders.
Jean Marie Dongou
Jean Marie Dongou, a product of La Masia, was once likened to Lionel Messi during his early years.
Before joining Barcelona’s youth setup, Dongou honed his skills at the Samuel Eto’o Academy, but his career never reached the heights many had anticipated. After departing Greek second-division club Anagennisi Karditsa FC last year, he now finds himself without a team.
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Although he can proudly claim to have played for Barcelona, with a single league appearance to his name, any comparisons to Messi ultimately proved to be far from reality.
Who will be the next Ronaldo?
We take a look at some of the players who could potentially be the next Messi and Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappé
For years, Kylian Mbappé has been considered the next global football sensation. Currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain in France, many believe he should be competing at an even higher level. He came close to joining Real Madrid during the 2021/22 season, but the move ultimately did not materialize. While his talent is undeniable, some argue that playing in Ligue 1—where only a handful of teams can truly challenge PSG—has limited his potential.
Mbappé’s versatility allows him to thrive both as a winger and a central striker, making him one of the most dangerous attacking players in the world. His blistering speed, technical ability, and finishing make him a candidate to succeed Lionel Messi as football’s biggest star. However, if he hopes to solidify his place among the all-time greats, further improving his goal-scoring numbers and consistency will be essential. Even so, his career trajectory suggests he has all the tools to dominate the sport for years to come.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola has been nothing short of extraordinary. Even the Norwegian striker himself might not have expected such an explosive start to life in the Premier League. While his potential was never in doubt, the sheer volume of goals he has scored since joining City has been astonishing. His incredible performances have only cemented his status as one of the most dominant strikers of his generation.
Haaland first made headlines as a teenager in Norway, where his goal-scoring exploits caught the attention of European clubs. A move to RB Salzburg followed, where his impressive form earned him a transfer to Borussia Dortmund. His dominance in Germany, combined with a relatively low release clause, allowed him to make the jump to Manchester City. With his lethal finishing, physical presence, and ability to adapt to different styles of play, Haaland is poised to be one of football’s biggest stars for the next decade.
Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala has been one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in recent years. His rapid rise to prominence has made him a key player for both Bayern Munich and the German national team. Despite spending much of his youth playing in England’s development system, he ultimately chose to represent Germany at the senior level—much to the disappointment of England fans.
Leaving Chelsea’s academy for Bayern Munich proved to be a pivotal decision in his career. While many young talents struggle to break through at top clubs, Musiala wasted no time in making an impact. His impressive performances earned him a spot in Bayern’s first team at a remarkably young age, and he even represented Germany at the 2022 World Cup. His technical skill, composure, and intelligence on the ball make him a player with limitless potential, and his career is only just beginning.
In conclusion
The comparisons between young talents and Lionel Messi are inevitable, but the truth is that no one will ever truly replace him. His combination of skill, consistency, and longevity is unmatched. While there may be players who share some of his attributes, no one will replicate his career. Instead of searching for "the next Messi," perhaps it is time to appreciate the unique talents of each new generation and allow them to carve their paths in football history.
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