Crvena Zvezda’s ‘Little Messi’ ready for Lamine Yamal face-off – ‘I’ll show I’m better than him’

As Barcelona get set to take on Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow in Belgrade, a certain Andrija Maksimovic has been pointed out as a player to keep an eye out for in the encounter.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, nicknamed ‘Little Messi’ in his country, is one of Crvena Zvezda’s most exciting talents and is slowly carving out a reputation for himself at the first-team level.

Maksimovic ready to face Lamine Yamal

Barcelona, in their ranks, have one of the most prodigious young talents across the globe in Lamine Yamal, who is already close to achieving superstar status at the age of 17.

And, Maksimovic, who yearns to reach similar heights, is looking forward to the face-off between himself and the Barcelona sensation tomorrow and is eager to prove that he is better than the Spaniard, whom he faced in last year’s Under-17 Euros.

A 17-year-old superstar in the making. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“We met up at the European Championship. A brilliant player, as well as [Pau] Cubarsi. We’re the same age, tomorrow I’ll go out and show that I’m better than him [Yamal],” said Maksimovic, as quoted by Meridian Sport.

When asked if he was nervous and if there was fear, the Crvena Zvezda starlet said:

“Of course, I’m not nervous, this is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the Champions League, this is our stadium. The stands will be full and I’m glad I’ll be playing against the great Barcelona.”

Regarding him being compared to Lionel Messi, the teenage prodigy added: “Messi is my idol, but I would like to be remembered as Andrija Maksimovic.”