Juventus forward, Paulo Dybala, has said he doesn’t want to be described as “the new Messi”.
He played down comparisons between him and his fellow Argentine, ahead of his side’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona.
“People should know that I am Dybala and I want to continue to be so,” he told Italian daily La Repubblica.
“I understand the comparisons and expectations on me from the Argentines, but I don’t want to be the new Messi or the Messi of the future.
“There is only one Messi, like [Diego] Maradona. No one has ever told me that I am his heir.”
Dybala and Messi have only played together once – in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay in September. Dybala who was sent off in that game, admits they “haven’t had a great relationship.”
“I really admire him. I respect him,” Dybala said ahead of Tuesday’s first leg in Turin.
“He has won many Champions Leagues. I haven’t won any and I’m dreaming about the first.”
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