Red Star Belgrade’s Andrija Maksimovic, nicknamed the “Serbian Messi,” is boldly claiming he’s better than Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, ahead of their Champions League clash.
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The 17-year-old Maksimovic, expected to feature in Red Star’s starting lineup, has quickly emerged as one of Serbia’s most promising young talents.
Fresh off his senior debut for Serbia in October, Maksimovic is eager to go head-to-head with Yamal, also 17, who has gained international attention for his contributions to Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and his remarkable development at Barcelona.
Both young stars have been widely compared to legendary players. Yamal, celebrated for his performances at La Masia, has even drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and is a frontrunner for the 2024 Golden Boy award.
Maksimovic, whose dribbling skills and playstyle have earned him similar Messi-like acclaim in Serbia, is determined to make a name for himself on his terms.
“Messi is my idol, but I would like to be remembered as Andrija Maksimovic,” he expressed, signaling his desire to step out of Messi’s shadow.
Maksimovic’s confidence in his abilities is apparent. “I’ll go out and show that I’m better than him [Yamal],” he stated, unfazed by the spotlight of a Champions League fixture against the Catalan giants.
He remains calm about the high-stakes game, saying, “Of course, I’m not nervous; this is what I’ve been waiting for.”
With Red Star’s home stadium expected to be packed with supporters, Maksimovic believes the atmosphere will be electric.
Despite Maksimovic’s high hopes, Red Star Belgrade faces an uphill battle. The Serbian team has had a challenging Champions League season, losing all three of their opening games and conceding 11 goals.
Barcelona, on the other hand, has bounced back in impressive fashion after a tough opening loss to Monaco, defeating Young Boys and then displaying brilliant form against Bayern Munich.
For Maksimovic, the upcoming match is not just a chance to challenge Barcelona but also an opportunity to solidify his rising status on the European stage.
As two of Europe’s most exciting young talents square off, the clash between Maksimovic and Yamal promises a thrilling showdown.