First it was Diego Maradona, now it seems Lionel Messi has moved on to emulating Zinedine Zidane.
Barcelona’s Argentine prodigy tried his hand at copying the Frenchmans stunning Champions League winner against Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old plucked the ball out of the air after a cross had ballooned off a defender and cracked a sensational volley past keeper Michael Rensing and inside the far post for a breathtaking winner.
OK, he took the shot from the right side of the area and not the left and it wasnt quite as aesthetically pleasing as Zidanes timeless effort against Leverkusen, but it was still something special.
Last season he produced a carbon copy of Maradonas legendary solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup when he danced his way past half the Getafe team in the Kings Cup. He then followed that with a replica of the hand of god goal in the derby against city rivals Espanyol.
Who will he emulate next? Could it be Peles swivel and volley in the 1958 World Cup, George Weahs run down the length of the pitch against Verona, George Bests sensational dribbling effort for the San Jose Earthquakes or Marco van Bastens overhead volley for Ajax against Den Bosch.
Personally Im hoping someone shows him a video of that classic Match of the Day 1975 goal of the season from Blackpools Mickey Walsh.
Simon Baskett, Madrid
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4 comments so far
Yes Simon, Mickey Walsh’s goal is indeed the greatest goal ever scored. Us Blackpool fans still talk about that goal on message boards everyday…and I wasnt even born when he scored it.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsSadly it was way before the YouTube era so fans will have to get “100 greatest goals” on VHS to see it.
Not bad, I suppose. You can see it here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9K4pu_OZ YY
- Posted by LondonBut how long before he has a bash at Ronnie Radford’s screamer for Hereford against Newcastle in 1972?
I was searching wrong on Youtube! Fantastic. After trying a Mickey, Messi better check out Phil Clarkson’s cheeky backheel against Northampton in 1999.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsYeah but is it as good as this. I mean the first and second touches are sublime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXVEO0xnY oA
- Posted by Jim