There can only be one Messi and is surely not me - Atsu

By Ameenu Shardow

New found Ghana sensation Christian Atsu says he is nowhere near Lionel Messi as many have drawn comparisons to.

The 20-year-old was easily by far the best player in the Black Stars’ 2-0 win over Malawi in the first leg of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Accra last Saturday.

The FC Porto man dazzled many with his silky skills in the stands at the Accra Sports Stadium to even earn the admiration of Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri.

Atsu capped his splendid performance by fetching the opening goal against The Flames and ultimately has completely won the hearts of Ghanaians who have likened him to Argentine great Lionel Messi.

But the dimunitive figure is desperate to beat down the heightened expectations as some people believe he could or is already the next big thing to happen to World football.

“Messi has been my idol all the time. There is no Ghana Messi, there is no other Messi in this world, there can be only one Messi,” he said.

“And I respect that name that I can never play even 1% of what Messi is doing.

“So I’d like Ghanaians to keep that name cool and not compare me with Messi.”

Atsu will get another opportunity to further thrill fans as Ghana takes on Liberia in an international friendly on Tuesday evening in Monrovia.