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Jump to: Laxalt born to play for Atalanta | What an own goal
Messi signs for Junkeren
Assuming they monitor transfer developments in the Norwegian lower leagues, Barcelona must have been shocked to hear that Lionel Messi has signed for third-tier IK Junkeren.
However, it should perhaps be noted that we aren't talking about *the* Lionel Messi here -- rather a 16-year-old Norwegian player who has legally changed his name in tribute to his footballing idol.
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Born Daniel Are Knutsen, the teenager signed for Junkeren's academy this week on his quest to someday follow in his Argentinian hero's footsteps.
"I want to say that I try as best as I can to play his way. It's possible to see some similarities, but my talent probably isn't as great," Messi (the younger) told VG.
Runar Bo Eriksen, Junkeren's general manager, confirmed that Messi will begin playing in the Under-16 team with hopes that he will eventually break into the first team.
"I joked earlier that we have to look for Cristiano Ronaldo," he added.
Lionel Messi saw the ultimate tribute from a young player.Diego Laxalt was born to play for Atalanta
After just one season with AC Milan, it looks like Diego Laxalt is already on the move as reports claim the Uruguay international is on the verge of joining Atalanta.
It's also been noted that Laxalt's imminent transfer is made all the more apt due to the fact that the 26-year-old bears an uncanny resemblance to Atalanta's club crest.
Diego Laxalt going to Atalanta would be perfect. He's literally their logo pic.twitter.com/V9jO9v83Gj
— Nico (@nicodegallo) August 22, 2019
Laxalt has been wearing braided hair since an relatively early age and certainly the entirety of his senior football career to date.
Amazing that it's taken him this long to finally make the leap to his spiritual home.
What an own goal
It's nice to see football Down Under can be just as messed up as the rest of the world.
This is a quite stunning own goal which has to be seen to be believed.
This is actual footage of a Sydney men's all age grand final today ?? quality finish by the big defender there. pic.twitter.com/qRuiLuKRrO
— Couch Nish (@CouchNish) August 24, 2019
Good thing it wasn't an important goal. Oh wait, it was 2-2 with five minutes left and was the *winning* goal.
Source: espn.co.uk