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#3 Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic, who made his name at Borussia Dortmund as a precocious teenager, is another player who idolizes Lionel Messi.
The 22-year-old, one of the most recognizable American footballers in Europe, won the Champions League with Chelsea last season. Pulisic, fondly nicknamed Captain America, said in an interview three years ago that he grew up watching Messi play:
"Nothing against Ronaldo because I've seen it first hand, he's an unbelievable player. It's not an easy one (about who is better), but I would say Messi because growing up he was always my favourite."
Pulisic, who scored 19 times in over 100 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund, will hope for more game time under Thomas Tuchel next season after struggling with injuries in 2020-21.
#2 Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez is one of the best young strikers in the game. He won his first Serie A title with Inter Milan last season, where he struck up a lethal partnership with Romelu Lukaku.
Continuing his good form in Argentina colors, the 23-year-old combined with his captain Lionel Messi to devastating effect as the Albiceleste ended their near three-decade-long trophy drought at Copa America 2021.
In an earlier interview, Martinez acknowledged Messi has helped him improve his game, saying:
“He is the best in the world; playing with him in the national team is a privilege. He is generous; he shows me his movements, he teaches me to find spaces that apparently do not exist."
Martinez was close to joining Messi at Barcelona last summer, but the move did not materialize.
#1 Neymar
Neymar formed a devastating attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as Barcelona won their second continental treble in 2014-15.
The Brazilian, touted as one of the best players in the game, has a great relationship with Messi both on and off the pitch. Neymar, who moved to PSG four years ago, has always talked highly about the Argentine, whom he calls his friend and idol.
In a conversation with basketball star Stephen Curry, Neymar talked about how much he has learned by watching Messi play. Calling the Argentine the 'greatest player of all time', Neymar said:
“I played with Messi, who is, for me, one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is my idol in football. With Messi, I learned every day, whether during our practice, or playing with him, or just watching him play. That made me stronger and it increased my capacity on the field because I kept learning a lot from him."
Recently, Neymar and Messi met in the final of Copa America 2021, where Argentina beat Brazil by a solitary goal to win a record-equalling 15th title in the competition.
