'%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)
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara has compared Spurs midfielder Dejan Kulusevski's performance against Manchester City with Lionel Messi's. Spurs won the Premier League game 4-0 at the Etihad last month.
Kulusevksi, 24, was a standout performer as Ange Postecoglou's side brilliantly dismantled the holders at their own den. The Sweden international played on James Maddison for a 13th-minute opener, and there would be no looking back for the visitors from there.
With City failing to muster a response, Spurs doubled their advantage through Maddison seven minutes later as they led 2-0 at the break. There was no relenting from Postecoglou's side as they scored twice more to hand the Cityzens one of their worst home defeats in recent memory.
Trending
Praising Kulusevski's performance, O'Hara told Grosvenor Sport (as per theboyhotspur.com):
“Tottenham were unbelievable against Manchester City last weekend. Dejan Kulusevski came in and performed to a world-class standard – it was like watching Lionel Messi in his prime at times. He always steps up against City.”
Dishing out a Messi-esque performance, Kulusevski registered an expected assist (xA) of 0.47 and also created three clear chances and completed all four dribbles.
The Swede is up to two goals and seven assists in 19 games across competitions for the season. Both goals and three of those assists have come in the Premier League, where Spurs are seventh after 13 games.
Lionel Messi earns nomination for FIFA The Best Men's player award
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been nominated for the 2024 FIFA The Best Mens' football player award. The evaluation period for the award was August 21, 2023 to August 10, 2024.
During the said period, La Pulga won a second straight Copa America title with Argentina as Lionel Scaloni's side became the first team to win the competition 16 times, breaking a tie with Uruguay.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has had an injury-plagued first full season with Inter Miami, whom he joined last summer on a free transfer after nearly two decades in European football. Overall, Messi has contributed 30 goals and 19 assists in 38 games across competitions for club and country in 2024.
It's pertinent to note that the Inter Miami captain wasn't in the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, which was won by Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The Spaniard won a fourth straight Premier League title and Euro 2024 with Spain.
