5 players who have a similar playing style to football legends

It is very rare to find two players with similar styles of play. When a youngster bursts onto the scene and his style of play is recognizable to a former great we never refuse to draw a comparison and start dubbing him as the successor to that player.Whether it is dribbling style, technical ability, or even the height and build of the player, the resemblance remains uncanny. We find it hard not to put expectations on the player to replicate the exploits of his predecessor.Of course, not all of them go on to live up to those expectations but nonetheless, the resemblance will always be mentioned. Here are five players who remind us of a football legend.

#1 Neymar and Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho was unique in many ways but what we distinctly remember him for during his time at Barcelona was his ability to just invent a new trick for fun every other day. The Brazilian was unstoppable at his devastating best. Pace power and skill were all attributes on display when he glided his way past bamboozled defenders on the left wing.

He wowed audiences with his performance and even garnered applause from opponent fans. There were so many instances when his first touch would be enough to take him away from a defender.Many Barcelona fans thought they would never see a player like Ronaldinho.

Fast forward to 2013 and Barcelona signed Neymar from Santos, a Brazilian who had been turning heads with his speed, skill and goals. In only two years he has already achieved what Ronaldinho had in his 6 years at Barcelona.

Blaugrana now had a new terrorizer of defences on the left wing. After his incredible 2014/15 season, fans started comparing him to Ronaldinho. It wasn’t a coincidence as like Ronaldinho, Neymar was a trickster with brilliant control and an eye for goal.

Although their playing styles are not identical there are several similarities in the way they approach the game, with both possessing that same elegance and guile as they ghost past their bewildered opponents

#2 Isco and Andres Iniesta

During the Pep Guardiola era, there were three players that were instrumental in helping Barcelona achieved immense success. The trio of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta made Barcelona almost invincible and helped them lift trophy after trophy, with a brand of passing football which came to be known as Tiki-Taka. Iniesta was one of those players who exemplified the beauty of their game.

Watching him dribble past opponents with flair combined with vision and quickness of thought made everyone stand and applaud his ability.Although his career has been slightly hampered by injury in recent times his quality is still there to see every time he steps onto the pitch.

In 2011 a youngster at Malaga was catching the eye of everyone with his performances. Isco was only 20 when he helped Malaga to a top four finish and earn them Champions League qualification.

The midfielder always showed calm in possession and had an eye for a defense splitting pass. He was able to mesmerize and beat players with ease while making defense piercing runs through the midfield. So it was no surprise when Real Madrid bought him for a good amount of money.

People inevitably started drawing comparisons to Iniesta with many now viewing Isco as the rightful successor to the 31-year-old in the Spanish national team.

Isco himself did not want to be compared to the midfield maestro but his playing style and playmaking ability just made it very difficult for fans not to see the resemblance. Only time will tell how far Isco will go in terms of living up to Iniesta’s reputation.

#3 Mesut Ozil and Dennis Bergkamp

“There’s only one Dennis Bergkamp” used to ring around Highbury every time the Dutchman took to the field of play donning the Red and White of Arsenal. Bergkamp was the first big name signing Arsenal had purchased in the Premier League era.

He became the catalyst that transformed Arsenal, and when Wenger took over at the club he was the centre piece of the Frenchman's new style of play.

Bergkamp was known for great technical ability and unmatched vision. He would see things on the pitch that no one else could and would find team-mates with laser-visioned through balls. Arsenal won three Premier League titles in his time and also broke Machester United’s monopoly on the league.

In recent times, there has been optimism at the Emirates that the Gunners can end their wait for a title. That optimism has been largely down to the performances of Mesut Ozil who has been the most creative force in the league this season.

Ozil had a difficult first two years at the club but now has really come to the fore. His vision and control are his greatest strengths notching up 16 assists in the league this season. It wasn’t long before

Arsenal fans have started drawing comparisons between Ozil and Bergkamp with even Wenger admitting the German’s influence is similar to that of the Dutch Master. But the 27-year-old has a long way to go before he can achieve what Bergkamp did in his years at Arsenal

#4 Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona is considered by many to be one the greatest player of all time.There was a period when there was nobody like the Argetine legend. People had never seen dribbling of the magisterial level he displayed at both club and the international stage.

He was capable of beating every single player and score at the end of it. His mazy runs and mesmerising control at a high speed would leave spectators in awe of his talent. People would pay high ticket prices just to get a glimpse of the Argentinian's magic. Nobody thought there would be a player like Maradona until the turn of the millenium.

Lionel Messi was only 17 years old when he became the youngest player to represent Barcelona in a professional competition. Many had already observed his talent in his Barcelona B days and the comparisons to Maradona began even before he started playing for the first team. But Messi didn’t disappoint.

The little Argentine scored a brilliant individual goal in a game against Getafe. Starting at the halfway line he dribbled past several players including the goalkeeper and scored into an empty net. The goal was strikingly similar to the one Maradona famously scored against England.

But it didn’t stop there. Messi also scored a goal with his hand again similar to the infamous ‘Hand of God’ incident Maradona was involved in. Messi also resembles Maradona in terms of dribbling style and they are both left-footed. They are even similar in height and build. All Messi needs now is a World Cup in his trophy cabinet.

Messi’s famous goal against Getafe:

#5 Thierry Henry and Anthony Martial

Thierry Henry is considered by many to be the best player in Arsenal’s history. Not many people would argue with that statement due to the influence he had on the team. He broke several records in his time in England and is also the Gunner’s all time top scorer

Henry started out as a winger on the left but was converted into a striker by Arsene Wenger. His marauding runs and cool composure in front of goal were his trademarks. The high point in his career came in the 2003/04 season when the Gunners became the first team in the Premier League era to win the title without losing a single game.

Anthony Martial is currently the hottest prospect in the Premier League. He is already an established member of the Manchester United squad and is often compared to the Arsenal legend. Both Martial and Henry started as wingers on the left-hand side but were converted into strikers.

Both players have played for Monaco and bear similarities in their dribbling style, electric pace and strength.

Martial’s debut goal against Liverpool was similar if not a carbon copy of the one Henry scored against the same side. Martial is still a very young player and many have touted him to have a bright future with the Red Devils.