CORNERFLICK
Lionel Messi has named 10 young football talents in a promotional campaign for adidas, including three women and several players from outside Europe.
Messi’s latest list
The Inter Miami and Argentina captain picked Thomas Aranda of Boca Juniors, Max Dowman of Arsenal, Gilberto Mora of Tijuana, Yalcin Ozon of Eintracht Frankfurt, Xave Goujo of Crystal Palace, Jesus Rodriguez of Como, Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar, Lota Frida of Hamburg, Giovanna Waxman of Lyon and Chloe Saroi of Chelsea.
Aranda drew particular attention in the source material because he has been mentioned as a possible future successor to Messi. Mora also appears on the list after breaking through at Tijuana.
A campaign, not a ranking
The selections came through the third straight season of adidas’ Messi+10 campaign. The source said the list is part of an advertising drive and should not be read as an official ranking of the world’s best young players.
Messi has recently ended his international career with Argentina, after winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima.