Andrija Maksimovic, dubbed ‘Serbia’s Lionel Messi’, says he will prove he is better than Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal in the Champions League this week.
17-year-old Maksimovic is expected to line up for Red Star Belgrade when they host the La Liga giants on Wednesday night.
He has emerged as one of Serbia’s brightest young talents, making his senior debut for the national team in October.
Barcelona sensation Yamal, also 17, has shot to prominence over the last 18 months, playing a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 success in the summer and is the favourite to win the 2024 Golden Boy award which recognises the best young talent in the game.
Maksimovic is hoping to recreate his rise and is not overawed by the prospect of coming up against the Barcelona star this week, confident he is already ‘better’ than his fellow teen.
‘We met up at the European Championship. A brilliant player, as well as [Pau] Cubarsi. We’re the same age, tomorrow I’ll go out and show that I’m better than him [Yamal],’ Maksimovic said.
Maksimovic dismissed suggestions nerves might play a role on Wednesday night. ‘Of course, I’m not nervous, this is what I’ve been waiting for.
‘This is the Champions League, this is our stadium. The stands will be full and I’m glad I’ll be playing against the great Barcelona.’
Yamal has drawn comparisons with Argentina legend Messi from the moment he emerged at the club’s La Masia academy.
In Serbia, Maksimovic’s dribbling ability and playing style have also seen him compared to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. While he idoloises the former Barca star, the young Serb is out to carve out his own legacy.
‘Messi is my idol, but I would like to be remembered as Andrija Maksimovic,’ he said.
Red Star have endured a tough start to the Champions League campaign, losing their opening three and conceding 11 goals in the process.
Barcelona meanwhile bounced back from an opening week defeat against Monaco, thrashing Young Boys before their sublime display against Bayern Munich last time out.