Mamelodi Sundowns forward Abubeker Nasir has revealed his admiration for Lionel Messi.
He said Messi was among his role models while growing up in Ethiopia.
Nasir said this after Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup with Argentina on Sunday evening.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Lionel Messi led Argentina to the post-match penalty win over France in Qatar after extra-time had produced a three-all draw.
WHAT ABUBEKER NASIR SAID ABOUT LIONEL MESSI
Nasir wrote on his Facebook page to express his admiration for the Argentine.
“I grew up watching you [Messi] and being amazed by your skills since I was a kid,” Nasir wrote.
“I can’t express my feelings when you have accomplished this [World Cup champion] and your happiness is complete. You made my night too.”
Messi is an inspiration to many footballers and his rivalry with his Portuguese counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo makes debates interesting.
Ronaldo exited the World Cup prematurely following Portugal’s quarterfinal heartbreak.
The Argentine had achieved everything at the club level including winning four UEFA Champions League titles.
However, Messi’s failure to win the World Cup was seen as a blot in his otherwise impressive career.
The 35-year-old settled those concerns in the Qatar World Cup dramatic final.
The former Barcelona skipper scored two goals in the final and converted Argentina’s first post-match spot-kick.
ABUBEKER NASIR RESERVES PRAISE FOR KYLIAN MBAPPE
Abubeker Nasir also reserved praise for France star Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick in the final.
“Kylian Mbappé who finished as the World Cup star scorer with 8 goals, was the highlight of the game,” the Ethiopian said.
Ethiopian football fan Mpiloh Mqhele Indlayodwa Girh has since challenged the Sundowns attacker to emulate Messi and Mbappe.
“I hope you lift many cups in Mamelodi Sundowns because you’re the best player like Messi and Mbappe,” Girh tweeted.
Nasir has recovered from an injury that sidelined him from some games before the DStv Premiership break.
The Ethiopian has a dream to his career at Sundowns after completing his long-awaited transfer from Ethiopian Coffee.
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