'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Drawing praise from a player like Lionel Messi is one of the noblest things a young footballer can attract. The Argentine ranks among the most successful players in history and it's only natural that whoever he endorses gets massive attention from the football world.
It is an established fact that Lionel Messi doesn't hesitate when it comes to giving credit to young players who impress him with their performances. Over the last couple of years, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has, on multiple occasions, showered praise on some of the finest youngsters in the game.
Some of these players have moved forward to become popular figures in the sport, while the rest are still on the rise. That said, let's look at five young players who have received praise from the Argentine across the last couple of seasons. They are as follows:
Trending
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
In an interview last year, Lionel Messi named 15 rising players in world football and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold featured on the list. The Argentine described the England international as 'a full-back who is impressive for the future'.
It comes as no surprise to see Lionel Messi naming TAA among his list of rising players. They met each other when Barcelona and Liverpool clashed in the Champions League semifinals in 2019. The 22-year-old produced a stunning performance in the second leg of the encounter as the Reds earned a dramatic triumph at Anfield.
Since earning promotion into Liverpool's senior team in 2016, the defender has made 186 appearances across all competitions, recording ten goals and 47 assists to his name.
#4 Phil Foden | Manchester City
Manchester City attacker Phil Foden also made it to Lionel Messi's list of the 15 rising talents in world football last year. The attacker has been a shining light at Etihad Stadium over the last couple of seasons and his incredible performances have apparently captured Messi's attention.
"He will do amazing things in football, he has huge talent," the six-time Ballon d'Or said of the Manchester City forward.
Phil Foden is one of the best young players in the Premier League at the moment. The 21-year-old had a splendid outing with the Cityzens last season, bagging 16 goals and ten assists in all competitions. He's maintained his amazing level of performance this term, having bagged two goals and two assists for Pep Guardiola's men in seven games across all fronts.
#3 Mason Mount | Chelsea
Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount also had a spot on Lionel Messi's list of 15 rising talents to keep an eye on in the football world last year. Leo admitted to having watched the Englishman in action and believes he has what it takes to reach the top.
"Having watched him play, he has the potential to be one of the best," the Argentine was quoted as saying.
Mason Mount has proven to be a huge talent indeed. The midfielder provided a beautiful assist for Kai Havertz to score Chelsea's winning goal in the Champions League final last season. Since being promoted to the first team in 2019, the midfielder has made 116 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, contributing 17 goals and 16 assists.
#2 Ansu Fati | Barcelona
Before many knew how of the attacker's talent, Lionel Messi had already praised him during an interview in 2019. Shortly after winning his most recent 'The Best' award, Leo spoke about the fast-rising youngster.
He said: "Ansu Fati got my attention from the first time I saw him training, but you have to go step-by-step because he is 16 years old.
"He still doesn’t have the responsibility that others want to put on his shoulders. He has the potential to be a very important player, but we have to help him”
Ansu Fati's progress was delayed due to a long-term injury he picked up last year. However, the 18-year-old has put that crisis behind him and bounced back in style this season. He's made four appearances for the Catalan giants so far, recording two goals to his name.
#1 Kylian Mbappe | PSG
Kylian Mbappe is one of few young players Lionel Messi has praised over the last couple of years. The Argentine recently lauded the Frenchman while comparing him to Luis Suarez, as he discussed the famous MSN trio he was part of at Barcelona and the MNM he currently belongs to at PSG.
He said: "Kylian and Luis are two very different players. Luis is a pure number 9, a lone striker, who's particularly good in the box and is used to scoring lots of goals.
"Kylian likes to be on the ball more, he's a very strong and extremely rapid player, who kills you if you leave any space and scores a lot as well."
At just 22 years old, Mbappe is already one of the biggest superstars in world football. The winger is already a World Cup and UEFA Nations League champion with France and has an impressive 184 goals and 83 assists to his name at club level.
