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Study Reveals Who Is Most Similar To Lionel Messi Out Of 71,600 Players

Before we dive into this piece, let's just clear something up. NOBODY compares to Lionel Messi.
From his almost machine-like goalscoring record to his passing range and ability to dribble past anyone at anytime, Messi has left me speechless on a number occasions...this season.
But if we were to analyse players that strike a similar resemblance to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in terms of footballing ability, who would come out on top?
In the study, they looked at twelve different components to make an overall comparison.
These are: participation in the play, goals scored per shots taken, expected goals per game, shots taken, touches in the opposition's box, expected assists per game, key passes, times the ball is lost, pressing, and completed shots.
It seems that our similarity model is making some noise out there.
Check out the results for the most similar players to Leo Messi (2017/18 performance) in this @sport articlehttps://t.co/zMnJSIH2GI
- Driblab (@driblab) May 20, 2019
After taking all of the above into consideration, Driblab have revealed that Eden Hazard, out of more than 71,600, across 2,300 teams, is most similar to Barcelona's main man.
It might not surprise you to read that the Chelsea winger came out on top.
The Belgian international, who has been one of the Premier League's stand out performers this season, has a 92.7% level of similarity to Lionel Messi based on the above points.
He had a direct hand in more goals (31) than any other Premier League player this season and with a WhoScored rating of 7.81, @ChelseaFC star @hazardeden10 is our Premier League player of the season :clap::clap::clap:
For more player stats -- https://t.co/uLO9OOFaEr pic.twitter.com/y14rsDdaRQ
- WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 14, 2019
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe comes in second with a 91.3% level of similarity, while Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero comes in third with 91.1%.
If you take into account the 'younger generation' who are most similar to the five time Ballon d'Or winner, then the likes of PSV winger Steven Bergwijn, Viitorul Constanța midfielder Ianis Hagi and AZ star Oussama Idrissi come out on top in the study.
Who reminds you most of the great one?
Kylian Mbappé for PSG this season
:bust_in_silhouette: - 42 appearances
:soccer: - 38 goals
:dart: - 15 assists
:trophy: Ligue 1
:trophy: Coupe de France
:military_medal: UNFP Player of the Year
:military_medal: UNFP Young Player of the Year
:military_medal: UNFP Team of the Year
He's only 20-years old. pic.twitter.com/VS0IpdaG57
- Sport Engine (@TheSportEngine) May 20, 2019
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Hazard, Football News, Mbappe, Chelsea, Football, Aguero, Barcelona, Serie A, Lionel Messi, Premier League, results, Man City, La Liga