In Maradona’s footsteps, the new Messi-ah

Andy Mitten meets Barcelona wonder kid Lionel Messi.

JUAN Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Ariel Ortega, Andres D'Alessandro and Carlos Tevez. All are top level Argentinian footballers who have been labelled the 'new Maradona' usually by El Diego himself, yet none have touched Maradona's iconic status.

Lionel Messi, however, may provide a more enduring challenge. Comparisons between Barcelona's 18-year-old man of the moment and his idol abound, most from a slimmed down Maradona. Giving the equivalent of a papal blessing if you are an Argentinian footballer, Maradona told viewers of his TV show in which he has played head-tennis with Pele and danced with a world champion Flamenco performer: "I've seen the guy who is going to inherit my place and his name is Messi. This great football talent has appeared in Argentina and it is beautiful to watch my kind of player filling our blue and white jersey once again. He's got something different to any other player in the world right now, he's a leader and he's offering classes in beautiful football."