Lionel Messi: Arthur could be Barcelona's new Xavi
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Updated 04/09/2018 at 14:38 GMT
Lionel Messi has praised Barcelona's new midfielder Arthur, who is already impressing with the club.
Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team mate Arthur of FC Barcelona after scoring his team's second goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on August 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
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Arthur,22, arrived from Gremio for £27.5million in July, and has settled in with his new side impressively.
Along with Arturo Vidal, signed from Bayern Munich, he is considered a possible replacement for Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta.
Iniesta joined Vissel Kobe in Japan in the summer, and Xavi now plays in Qatar having left in 2015.
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Former Spanish football professional and World Cup 2022 ambassador Xavi Hernandez
Image credit: Getty Images
Messi knew little of Arthur before his arrival, but told Marca: 'They are very good, those that have come in, in particular Arthur has surprised me as I didn't really know him.
'He is very similar to Xavi as he likes to have the ball, play short, not lose it and is very solid. He surprised me but I like them all.
'Arthur has the style we have here, he understood quickly in training.
'Barcelona fans like players who are good with the ball at their feet and we are used to having possession.
'I think that players like Arturo (Vidal) are important to have in the squad, football is about tactics and the physical side.'
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