By Patrick Akoto
Ghana midfielder Christian Atsu has rejected his comparison to Lionel Messi insisting he’s not cast in the mould of the Barcelona star.
The 20-year-old has been likened to the world’s finest due to his unique style of play.
But the youngster who was loaned to Rio Ave from Portuguese giants FC Porto wants to be measured by his own performance.
“I don’t want that tag being put on me as the next Lionel Messi of the Black Stars,†Atsu told Kumasi-based Hello FM “The kind of game Messi plays is incomparable.
"Even though I like him and wants to get to his level, I am nowhere close.
“Even though I possess some of his qualities, I can’t be Messi.
I am not the new Messi of Ghana football,"
Atsu was adjudged the best player of the season at Rio due to his impressive displays which saw him score six goals.