Lothar Matthaus tips Liverpool target who is lighting up Euro 2024 to emulate Lionel Messi
06/26/2024 07:45 AM
Lothar Matthaus believes an exciting youngster linked with a move to Liverpool can follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
The Reds are entering a new era this summer, with Arne Slot taking over the reigns from Jurgen Klopp after the German called time on his Anfield career after nine hugely successful years at the helm.
Liverpool have been linked with a host of players, but one player who could transform their current squad is Jamal Musiala, who has emerged as Germany's main man at Euro 2024.
Musiala is tied down at Bayern Munich until the summer of 2026 but is believed to have keen admirers abroad, with Liverpool and Manchester City mentioned as potential suitors.
Matthaus believes the youngster – along with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal – has all the tools to emulate Messi and the late Diego Maradona.
Matthaus tips Liverpool target Jamal Musiala for greatness
As one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Matthaus knows his fair bit about the game and has never shied away from boldly expressing his opinions.
As Musiala and Yamal continue to star for Germany and Spain respectively at Euro 2024, the legendary midfielder was full of praise for the duo.
Speaking during the Group B clash between Spain and Albania – in which Yamal appeared as a second half substitute for La Roja, Matthaus was blown away by the 16-year-old’s ball control.
He then went on to liken the Barcelona attacker’s ability to Messi and Maradona, while also putting Musiala on the same breath as the legendary duo, suggesting they have similar styles.
“Maradona, Messi and now Yamal or Musiala,” said the 63-year-old former midfielder, as quoted by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.
What does the future hold for Jamal Musiala?
Musiala is undoubtedly one of the brightest talents in world football and spearheaded Germany to top spot in Group A, chipping in with two goals in three games for Julian Nagelsmann‘s side.
Bayern Munich will obviously want to keep him and build the team around him in the long haul.
However, journalist Christian Falk suggests Musiala could be on the move this summer, adding that ‘something is going on’ in terms of his future.
How would Musiala work at Liverpool?
If Liverpool were to sign him, his versatility would allow him to play across different positions in attack, with the 21-year-old capable of playing out wide or as an attacking midfielder.
Musiala has played each of Germany’s Euro 2024 games as a right winger, while he was predominantly deployed as an attacking midfielder at Bayern Munich during the course of the 2023-24 campaign.
With Liverpool set to revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation under Slot in the forthcoming season, a player like Musiala could prove to be an invaluable addition to the squad as he’s proved that he’s got more than enough quality to flourish across the front line for club and country.
Musiala’s future will emerge as a huge topic of discussion in the coming months and teams across Europe will jump at the chance to sign him if he were to become available.
However, the 21-year-old’s current focus will be to spearhead Germany to Euro 2024 glory as they aim to build on their strong start to the tournament.
