5 players who have a similar playing style to football legends

Football is cyclical in nature. The greats of the past have paved the way for the superstars of tomorrow.

While each footballer is unique, there are certain traits that remind fans and viewers about a legend of the game. Some are extremely similar to their idols, while in some cases there is an uncanny resemblance that can be observed in minute detail.

We look at the five players who have a similar playing style to football legends:

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#5 Kylian Mbappe - Cristiano Ronaldo

RB Leipzig v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Kylian Mbappe is seen as the next great football superstar, and the one most likely to take over as the best player in world football.

Mbappe has admitted in the past that he considers Cristiano Ronaldo to be a role model. The France international boasts great physical qualities as well as technical skills. Given Cristiano Ronaldo made his name due to his world-class physical capabilities during his prime, it is not surprising to see Mbappe compared to Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer, and the club have targeted Mbappe as the heir to his throne. With the Eden Hazard experiment a spectacular failure so far, Los Blancos have made it clear that they want Mbappe. The 22-year old is extremely keen to move to Madrid, and looks likely to do so after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next summer.

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#4 Neymar- Ronaldinho

Brazil Training and Press Conference

Ronaldinho has often been portrayed as a typical Brazilian footballer; casual and unconcerned, but gifted with oodles of talent.

Ronaldinho's performances on the field were often interspersed with controversies off the field. Despite that, he remains one of the greats of Brazilian football. Neymar, in many ways, is no different. A world-class footballer with excellent dribbling ability, a prolific scorer and creator, the forward has understandably been compared to Ronaldinho.

Both forwards made their names at Barcelona. However, while Ronaldinho's career petered out after his time in Spain, Neymar is still going strong. The 29-year old is the world's most expensive footballer and a talismanic presence for both club and country.

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#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold - Dani Alves

Liverpool FC v Atletico Madrid: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Trent Alexander-Arnold is regarded by many as a generational footballer, although such claims have not been well received by some.

There is no denying Alexander-Arnold's quality and talent. However, given how Dani Alves was influential from right-back for one of the greatest sides in the sport, claims about Alexander-Arnold bringing a transformation to the right-back position have been criticized.

During his prime, Alves was a world-class attacking right-back and boasted excellent creativity, passing and crossing ability. Alexander-Arnold, too, boasts a similar skill-set, and it can be said with some confidence that he is the best right-back in the world right now. The England international is well on his way to becoming one of the greats of the game.

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#2 Pedri - Andres Iniesta

SL Benfica v FC Barcelona: Group E - UEFA Champions League

The dysfunctional nature of Barcelona has been extensively covered. Despite all their shortcomings, they can be truly proud of some of the young talent they have.

Pedri, Ansu Fati, Gavi and Ronald Araujo have all emerged as important first-team members during a dark period for the club. Pedri, in particular, has made his name as a prodigious young talent who should be a staple in Barcelona and Spain's midfield for years to come.

The 18-year old is calm, composed and world-class technically, traits which made Andres Iniesta stand out. New manager Xavi enjoys an excellent relationship with Iniesta, and Pedri should thrive under his management.

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#1 Lionel Messi - Diego Maradona

Argentina v Nigeria: Group B - 2010 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi is bound to carry comparisons with Diego Maradona forever. There are eerie similarities between the two greats of the game.

Maradona was for a long time considered to be Argentina's greatest ever, before Lionel Messi came along. Maradona was a diminutive genius who boasted a low center of gravity and was able to alter the game with a magical run or a beautiful pass. The same, exact description can be applied to Messi.

Messi is certainly a more disciplined professional than Maradona ever was. Debates rage as to who is the better footballer, with both forwards having made an indelible impact on the beautiful game. For a long time though, Messi has been under Maradona's shadow at the international level.

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