Qatar forward Akram Afif has unlocked the Messi level of playing football – at least in his homeland and at the recent Asian Cup.
The 27-year-old finished the tournament with eight goals and three assists in just seven matches, including a hat-trick in the final against Jordan (though all the three goals were from the spot).
He also hit one of the coldest celebrations we've ever seen.
Interestingly, Afif was one of Xavi's most prolific players when the latter was managing Qatari side Al Sadd (Afif still plays there). He scored 34 goals and delivered 35 assists in 61 appearances for the current Barca boss.
It's also interesting how Afif would've fared as a back-up left winger at Xavi's Barca. Akram used to be part of Villarreal and Sporting Gijon before, but there was no place for him in those teams' starting eleven at the time. Right now, he is clearly one of the most impactful players in Asia alongside the likes of Son Heung Min and Kaoru Mitoma.
