Paulo Dybala admits he and Lionel Messi ‘have not had a great relationship’ after outshining countryman on European stage
Juventus star scored twice in Champions League demolition of Barcelona and reveals fellow Argentine doesn't really speak
PAULO DYBALA admits he doesn’t enjoy the best of relationships with compatriot Lionel Messi.
The Juventus star has been tipped to emulate Barcelona’s Argentine hero after penning a new five-year contract yesterday.
But Dybala claims Messi doesn’t really speak to him, adding that he intends to forge his own destiny instead of following in the footsteps of someone else.
Speaking after he scored twice in Juve's 2-0 Champions League win over Barca, Dybala said: “ No, never [has Messi told me I’m his heir]. But he doesn’t speak much. He keeps himself to himself. We’ve not had a great relationship.
“I admire him a lot, I respect him. He’s won many Champions Leagues, me none and I dream of the first: I play for Juve and I want to win.
“On the pitch we are equals and I will do everything to beat him. People need to know that I am Dybala and I want to continue to be so.
“I understand the comparisons and the aspects of the Argentinians on me, but I don’t want to be the next Messi or the Messi of the future. There’s only one Messi, like [Diego] Maradona.”
Dybala had been strongly tipped to link up with Messi at Barcelona before penning his new Turin deal.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid were also believed to be interested, but Dybala will now be staying put at Juve until 2022.