Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira says he is ‘similar to Lionel Messi’

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Arsenal star Fabio Vieira hailed the influence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on his career and went on to claim that he’s ‘similar’ to the PSG superstar.

Vieira joined the Gunners from Porto for £34 million in the summer (Sky Sports). Mikel Arteta and Edu were keen to sign him, and they surprised everyone by wrapping up a deal very quickly.

Now, Vieira is hoping to become a star at Arsenal.

Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira says he is ‘similar’ to Lionel Messi

Vieira was one of Porto’s most important players during his time there. He was brilliant then and everyone believed he was destined to play for the Portuguese national team one day.

One of the players he looks up to, unsurprisingly, is his country’s biggest star – Ronaldo. Vieira has met the Manchester United man, who he claims always provides support and gives advice to young players like him.

Vieira told Arsenal’s official website: “The two biggest influences for me are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“Ronaldo not because he is Portuguese, but he is really someone who really inspires others with his work ethic, how he had to leave his family and his comfort zone to sign for Sporting, and for him to build the career that he has built inspires everyone.

“I have met Ronaldo. I met him with the national team as we would both be at the gym, and again recently in our game at Manchester United. He would always provide support and give advice to young players.

“Messi is more to do with my style of play. I am similar to Messi and I appreciate the way that he plays.”

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Both Messi and Vieira are left-footed and have great vision.

However, the Arsenal new-boy still has a long, long way to go before he’s anywhere near the level of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Vieira has only started one game for Arsenal in the Premier League so far. He is Martin Odegaard’s understudy in that number 10 role, but he has shown flashes of brilliance every time he has come on.

The 22-year-old definitely has the skill to become a top player for the Gunners in a few years’ time. Whether he’ll remind Arsenal fans of Messi when he plays remains to be seen.