Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o names player who can ‘succeed’ Lionel Messi

Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o claims Ansu Fati is the player capable of filling the void that Lionel Messi will leave one day after leaving Barcelona.

Messi, 33, is without a contract this summer and time is running out for the Catalan giants to agree on a new deal with their captain.

Eto’o spent five scintillating seasons playing alongside the Argentine and had previously claimed Barcelona would have to change their name if Messi left.

But there’s another prodigious talent that is catching attention at Camp Nou, as teenage sensation Ansu Fati burst onto the scene last season.

The 18-year-old has already been crowned four times by Spain and Eto’o believes he is the man who can succeed Messi.

“I think [Fati] is that of the future, ”said Eto’o SPORTbible . “He’s doing amazing things right now so I think the club really need to prepare him and take very good care of him.

“Hopefully it is he who will succeed Messi.”

Fati started the current season in fantastic form with five goals and four assists in 10 games, but suffered a serious knee injury in November and remains on the sidelines for several weeks.

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The young Spaniard was initially ruled out for up to four months after tearing the meniscus in his left knee.

According to AS , however, the player could return in mid-February in time for the first leg of Barcelona’s Champions League first leg with Paris Saint-Germain.

Fati impressed in European competition before his injury, scoring once and assisting three times in three games.

Last season he became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history when he came off the bench to score the Barcelona winner against Inter Milan in the group stage.

Fati provided a positive update on his rehabilitation in December, saying: “I have already started recovery, in the Ciutat Esportiva [Barca academy base].

“I’m very happy and hope to be back as soon as possible. But above all to recover well.”

Do you agree with Samuel Eto’o’s verdict on Ansu Fati? Have your say in the comments.

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