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Real Madrid announce the signing of “Japanese Lionel Messi”

By Shane McFarland

RIFU, JAPAN - JUNE 09: Takefusa Kubo of Japan warms up prior to the international friendly match between Japan and El Salvador at Hitomebore Stadium Miyagi on June 09, 2019 in Rifu, Miyagi, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
RIFU, JAPAN - JUNE 09: Takefusa Kubo of Japan warms up prior to the international friendly match between Japan and El Salvador at Hitomebore Stadium Miyagi on June 09, 2019 in Rifu, Miyagi, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid have inked a former Barcelona youth player who might turn out to be the next Lionel Messi…

Real Madrid’s summer spending spree continued on Friday as the club announced the signing of Takefusa Kubo from FC Tokyo. At only 18 years of age, Kubo has already been dubbed the “Japanese Messi” and will join Los Blancos’ youth team at Castilla next season.

In a statement released by the club, they note, “The first Real Madrid affiliate will have one of the most promising young players in world football. An attacking midfielder of excellent technique, very skilled, with vision of game, great dribble and goal.”

Kubo returns to Spain and La Liga after coming up through Barcelona’s highly touted La Masia youth academy where he excelled over the course of four years. However, his time was cut short at Barcelona when the club was found to have violated FIFA’s international transfer policies for players under the age of 18.

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Already having earned a call-up to the Japanese national team, Kubo is a very exciting prospect to keep an eye on, particularly at this year’s Copa America in Brazil that has just gotten underway.

In spite of his age and his perceived lack of experience, Kubo had already earned 24 caps for FC Tokyo and managed to contribute five goals in Japan’s top-flight division. There should be no doubting his ability, only asking how high his ceiling can be.

Whether or not he lives up to his billing as the “Japanese Messi” is irrelevant. Many of us, particularly in the media, are guilty of anointing the next coming of X, Y and Z too often, which is unfair to the player, particularly one that has barely played in any meaningful games yet so far in his career.

At Madrid and under the direction of Zinedine Zidane, Kubo should be able to develop and grow into the player that he was always meant to be. Let’s just hope for world football we get another exciting attacking midfielder to fawn over for years to come much like we treat Leo now.

Next. Real Madrid should take advice of former president Ramon Calderon. dark

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