Barcelona have officially announced the loan move of 18-year-old 'Austrian Messi' Yusuf Demir.
Despite his young age, Demir will already play for Barca B next season and will be part of the first team during the pre-season.
What's so special about the wonderkid and why his Messi-related nickname is more than just a word?
Age
Despite being just 18, the player has made his first appearance for Austria's senior national team!
Besides, he's a regular starter for Austria U21 which tells a lot about his level of play, especially given that we've seen Austria in the Euro'20 knockout stage.
Position
Just like today's Leo Messi, Demir can cover both the attacking midfield and right/left wings. The youngster is a creative playmaker with an eye on goal – and this is how we could describe Messi as well.
In fact, Demir averages 3.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the Austrian Bundesliga, as well as 4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
"I've watched Demir last season when I heard 'Austrian Messi' in media. Every year there is a 'New Messi' but this case is different. I'm not here saying he is as talented as 18-year-old Leo but his game is very similar to that of Leo's. Hopefully, he can reach his full potential."
Foot
What else do Messi and Demir have in common? They're both left-footed!
Most of Demir's goals for Rapid were scored with his left foot while there's also a beautiful long-distance strike to his name.
Scoring nature
Take a look at his scoring stats at each level.
Rapid Vienna (Austrian Bundesliga): 38 games, 9 goals.
Austria U15: 8 games, 10 goals.
Austria U17: 14 games, 9 goals.
Austria U21: 5 games, one goal.
Barca B were looking for another player who could find the net when needed – and seems like they've finally got one.
Free-kick ability
I'm sure you wanted to hear this.
Demir has got a few free-kick goals at a youth level in his career – one of them, scored in the U17 Euro qualification, is as splendid as some Messi's strikes are.
Interest from outside
Usually, if there's a 'new Messi' on Barca's radars, it doesn't mean that a lad is an object of interest among big clubs.
This is not the case: before completing his Blaugrana move, most European top clubs were said to be heavily interested in landing the teenager.
Commitment
As revealed by ESPN, Demir rejected the offers from Bayern Munich and Manchester City before accepting the Barca proposal. He really wants to succeed at Camp Nou.
