A number of reasons could be giving the clue why players tipped the Next Messi mainly flop at the top level.
Lionel Messi has undoubtedly been the most inspirational figure in modern
football. The Argentina captain, who unexpectedly retained his FIFA Best Player
award this month, has served as a role model for a number of talented
footballers around the world.
Being compared to La Pulga can be a blessing or a curse. Being the Next
Messi requires them to prepare for the intense pressure of being the star on
the big stage. Unfortunately, not every player has what it takes to be the
global star like the Argentine Messiah.
In the 2023–24 season, players touted as the
Next Messi are all over Europe. Yet, once again, very few have been able to
even replicate the success of the Argentine living legend. The likes of Real
Madrid’s Arda Guler, Brighton’s Ansu Fati, and Luka Romero are prominent examples
of those who fail to meet expectations, whereas Real Sociedad’s Take Kubo and
Martin Odegaard have begun to establish themselves to step out of Messi’s
shadow and define their own fate.
Recently, another Next Messi has just emerged.
The Argentine captain in the 2023 U17 World Cup, Claudio Echeverri, has justsigned a contract with Manchester City this month. However, the 18-year-old versatile
midfielder will not instantly fly to England to join Pep Guardiola's side. He
is bound to stay with his former club, River Plate, in 2024 before switching
sides to Etihad next year. Will he thrive like his senior Julian Alvarez or
slump to injuries and inconsistency like the most? Only time will tell. Perhaps
Echeverri should have a look at these reasons why ‘the Next Messi’ mostly fails
so that he could take the precious lesson for himself.
Mounting Pressure
Once a player is dubbed ‘the next Messi’, one
must be able to embrace mounting pressure to constantly play well. It can be
from the media, the teammates, the club, or even the fans. The expectation is
always high. Once he fails or doesn’t live up to expectations, only harsh
criticism entails. That even happened to Lionel Messi himself. It is certainly
not easy to handle. Not even for someone who is already at the top level.
Take Bojan Krkic, for example. He was once
touted as the next Messi in Barcelona or The Catalan Messi. He had a chance to
play alongside him and had spells at other big clubs such as AS Roma, AC Milan,
and Ajax Amsterdam. Yet he couldn’t handle the mounting pressure to succeed at
the top level. In fact, such pressure was so immense for him that it brought
anxiety inside of him. Now, Bojan, aged 32, is already retired and has returnedto the Catalan giant as a manager for players on loan.
The Horror of Media Attention
Another reason for the failure is getting
carried away with the media attention. Being the next Messi means you would be
the center of attention, the hype. You might get a commercial contract,
interviews, and lots of publicity, especially in a non-football country. You
are prone to boasting about yourself as a great player. Such could be a horror for your career.
The case of the Indonesian Messi, Egy Maulana
Vikri, might be a good example. Once he was compared to the Albiceleste star,
he became famous. He got offers from various clubs in Europe, from Saint
Etienne and Espanyol to Benfica and Ajax. Eventually, he opted to sign for
Lechia Gdansk, a member of the Polish top flight, simply because they were the
only club willing to sign him without trial since Egy had never played in the
youth pro league before. Such arrogance might not be necessary since those big
clubs had a point. Trials are part of the process of doing well at the top
level.
Eventually, Egy had to pay the price. He failed
to play regularly due to not being considered physically ready or fit for the
European level. He refused to admit it because he thought he deserved a chance
with skill and talent like Messi. He even threatened that he would not play
football again if he could not find a club to play in Europe. Such a mindset
might need revising, as modern football isn’t only about skill and talent but
also physical fitness, discipline, and many more.
Unfortunately, Egy did not seem to take it with
an open mind. He chose to leave the club instead and move to Slovakian side FK
Senica and then Vion Moravce, but things didn't work out either. The Medan-born
player eventually returned home and joined the promoted side in the Indonesian
top tier, Dewa United. He is part of the Indonesian squad for the 2023 AFCAsian Cup but has yet to contribute a goal or assist.
Lack of Consistency
This is a common case for the next Messi. The
Argentine talisman is known for his consistency throughout the years. He won
FIFA Best Player eight times and thrived at the top level for more than a
decade (2005–2023) before leaving Europe. Surely, it is tough to keep up with
those touting the next Messi.
Take Xerdan Shaqiri and Gerard Deaulefou, for
example. Both were at the top levels too, with the former once in Bayern,
Inter, and Liverpool, and the latter is currently in Udinese after his spells
at Everton, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Watford. Yet, their forms have never been
as consistent as the current World Cup winner. Shaqiri, who is currently
playing for MLS side Chicago Fire, often suffered injuries and somehow only
shines in the mid or lower teams, as does Deulofeu.
Lack of Courage to be Different
Being tipped as the next Messi might be a good
stepping stone to start off the career, but then one has to dare to be
different to distance himself from Messi's shadow. One can try to distinguish
himself from the real Messi by winning something La Pulga has not won yet,
building a career in the league the Argentine legend never played in, or simply
no longer wanting to be compared to him.
Mo Salah and Martin Odegaard, who were once
dubbed the next Messi, have outgrown such nickname, and eventually the burden
is off their shoulders. The first two simply managed to shine in the EPL, the
league Messi never played in. Mo Salah tends to stick to the former Barcelona
skipper’s old position as a right winger with goal-scoring prowess and relying
on pace. Odegaard, on the other hand, tends to adopt Mesut Ozil rather than
Messi himself. The Norwegian international also played for Real Madrid,
Barcelona’s arch rival.
Misfortune
This could be an unusual but genuine reason for
the next Messi. Some had the misfortune to thrive in the big club at a young
age, while others experienced a financial crisis that forced a move out of
Europe to change career plans and revive.
The case of Take Kubo and the Scottish Messi,
Ryan Gauld, could be good examples. Kubo was loaned out several times and
failed to make it into Real Madrid's first team. He finally made his fortune
after working with Real Sociedad. They finished fourth last season, earning a
spot in the Champions League this season. However, Gauld has not been as
fortunate. He had average form only during his spell in Europe. The former
Dundee man had to move across the globe to save his career by joining the MLS
side, the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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