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Peru international Oliver Sonne has revealed what he thinks makes Lionel Messi special despite his declining powers in recent years. The Inter Miami ace was named as the MLS MVP for 2024 and finished sixth in the voting for the 2024 FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year award.
A new signing for Burnley, 24-year-old right-back Sonne has played against Lionel Messi and Argentina during his international career with Peru. The former Barcelona and PSG man assisted Lautaro Martinez to score the only goal in that game and left an impression on Sonne.
When asked who his toughest opponent was, the new Burnley man instantly replied that it was the Argentina captain. He revealed that Messi's vision and understanding of the game is what sets him apart from other players.
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"I have to go with Messi, I met him a few weeks ago when we played Argentina and, yeah, he's just the main guy. The way he sees the game, he's so technical and you can't get the ball off him. Even though he's getting up in the age and he doesn't have the same power, his vision for the game is just phenomenal," he said via TalkSport.
Oliver Sonne joined Burnley from Silkeborg on January 1, where he made over 100 appearances for the Danish club. The versatile defender joined the Clarets, who are aiming for an immediate return to Premier League football following their relegation in the 2023-24 season.
Lionel Messi has been in fine form for Argentina over the course of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which was where he faced Sonne. The 37-year-old has scored six goals and provided three assists in nine games in the qualifying series.
Lionel Messi gets new Inter Miami teammate
Lionel Messi has gotten a new teammate at Inter Miami after the club completed the signing of Haiti international Fafa Picault on a free transfer. The versatile forward joins the side from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.
Picault scored nine goals and provided six assists for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2024 MLS season, helping them finish eighth in the Western Conference. The 33-year-old featured for the USMNT as a youngster before switching allegiance to Haiti.
Inter Miami needed new forwards after losing Leonardo Campana and Diego Gomez in the off-season. Javier Mascherano's side are likely to continue to chase several other targets before the 2025 season commences in February.
