Crvena Zvezda's 'Little Messi' warns Lamine Yamal ahead of UCL match

In the UEFA Champions League matchup between Barcelona and Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade tomorrow, a certain Andrija Maksimovic has been mentioned as a player to watch. Known as "Little Messi" in his native country, the 17-year-old offensive midfielder is one of Crvena Zvezda's most promising players and is gradually making a name for himself in the first squad.

Top European teams like Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing him. He has already scored twice and provided two assists in just three league games this season.

At the age of 17, Barcelona boasts one of the world's most gifted young players in Lamine Yamal, who is already on the verge of becoming a superstar. And Maksimovic, who aspires to achieve similar success, is excited to show that he is superior to the Spaniard, whom he met at the Under-17 Euros last year when he faces the Barcelona wonder tomorrow.

During a pregame news conference in Belgrade on Tuesday afternoon, Maksimovic, who is frequently linked to Messi in his own country, like Lamine Yamal in Spain and elsewhere, recognized the impact of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. As Lamine often does, however, he tried to brush aside comparisons and said that though "Messi is my idol ... I would like to be remembered as Andrija Maksimovic".

Maksimovic said he is eagerly anticipating the big game and intends to outperform Barcelona's wonderkid. "I am not nervous," he asserted, adding that he is "happy to play against a big team like Barcelona." Additionally, an arrogant Maksimovic declared "I'll go out on the pitch to show that I'm better than him" while accusing Lamine of being "a great player" whom he had previously met.

Barcelona is in excellent form

Alongside Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in the Barca attack, Yamal is in excellent form going into the match. He has six goals and eight assists this season. In front of 50,000 opposing supporters, Barcelona may have a difficult time winning the three points as the Serbian audience supports Maksimovic and Crvena Zvezda. Barcelona's penultimate encounter is an away match against Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday, making this their second-to-last match before the international break.