Atsu desperate to beat down Messi comparisons
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.
Messi is messi n atsu is astu…do ur own thing boi.
Atsu you are humble like Messi, you must grow eyes on the back of your head, so you can see all the vicious tackles before they come. You have to be able to get in your opponents head and anticipate their every move, good or bad so you can protect yourself and have a very long career. Ghana and World soccer fans want to see you in AFCON 2013 and hopefully the World Cup in Brazil.
Watch every Messi and Maradono tape, watch some Razak and Polo tapes from the 1970′s and keep practicing your dribbling moves because you could be Atsu the Great, greater that Messi. You have the vision, speed, the skills and your passing is phenomenal.
correction: Maradona
What a humble guy. I love the fact that you picked your words right. keep up the good work.May be we should try him as a striker, but if he feels more comfortable at the wings then we should keep him there. It appears we do not have a natural right-footed winger for the outside right, but Atsu makes it seem easy at the right wing. Atsu is here to stay.
@Lord,we have a natural right-footed winger called Quincy but Akwesi Appiah is pretending not to know him.We live to see!
Its a shame that Atsu says he cant play even 1% of wat Messi plays. Yes, Messi is miles ahead, but Atsu is doing great and must believe in himself. No footballer who wants t0 rise to greatness can continue to degrade himself before suupposed “big names”. Ghana will soon face the Germany’s, Uruguay’s, Brazil’s and so forth and we need our players to demonstrate absolute confidence if Ghana can make a significant impact on world football…………….
What is so difficult to stand here? Can Ronaldo agreed to be called Messi? Do not compare him with Messi, because Atsu want to be Atsu, as simple as that. That is not inferiority complex but superiority complex.
If we say he plays like Messi, thats different from calling him Ghana Messi. I hope you understand.
Please, please, listen to this boy and STOP comparing him. He dislike it. Let us respect and support his decisions.
The same people who are praising Atsu today would be the very same people to insult him tomorrow if he fails to deliver in an important match. Praise him if he does well but no Messi comparison.
Ghana has found real gem in this boy but he has more to do rememba hard work wins de race.
Will the Liberia match be telecast live by GTV? If yes, when?
Maybe it might be telecast.but the site is having problems.so try liberia tv.com.let me kno if u get it
I like the combination between ATSU and OPARE and i hope if OPARE have a good day they will kill every team that comes in the way of the black stars. Akwesi Appiah you are the best but next time let BOATENG start the game with ANANN in the middle, K.ASAMOAH front and JORDAN AYEW should start from the bench and you will see the difference.
AKWASI APPIAH IS NOT A GOOD COACH. HOW ON HELL DO YOU USE ATSU AS A WINGER? AH AWURADE…USE ATSU IN MIDFIELD, SO HE CAN DRIBBLE N PASS THE BALL TO THE WINGERS OR STRIKERS. KWADWO ASAMOAH WAS GOOD AT DRIBBLING N VERY POTENT IN THE MIDFIELD TO FREE UP THE STRIKERS, BUT NOW HE SUCKS. USE ATSU IN MIDFIELD. PAIR HIM WITH ANNAN OR USE ATSU AS AN ATTCAKING MIDFIELDER. IM SWEAR, EVEN KONADU IS A BETTER COACH THAN APPIAH, TRUST ME. APPIAH SHAA. HE IS ALWAYS USEING THE WORDS “TACTICS” BUT CANT EVEN DEFINE TACTICS. CAN HE PLAY CHESS OR CHECKERS? HE IS TOO SIMPLE MINDED TO BE A NATIONAL TEAM COACH. TO BE A NATIONAL TEAM COACH YOU MUST BE A WIZARD, WITH TRICKS UP YOUR SLEEVE TO DECEIVE AND OUTWIT THE OPPOSING COACH/TEAM. AKWASI IS TOO TIBOOR, TOO TIMID, TOO SIMPLE MINDED MENTALLY. I MAY BE WRONG, BUT THIS IS WHAT IM SEEING.
Where were you, when Ghana was looking for a coach? Please answer.
christian Atsu is the best…Our prayers are behind you bro..all the best