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At 18, the career paths of two of the world's most promising players could not be more different.
UTRECHT: At 18, the career paths of two of the world's most promising players could not be more different. Tomorrow, though, John Obi Mikel and Lionel Messi will be on the same pitch, leading their teams when Nigeria face Argentina for the Youth World Cup title.
Coming from Argentina, Messi was handpicked by Barcelona from Argentine side Newell's Old Boys when he was only 13 and brought to Europe together with his family. He has been slowly nurtured under the Spanish sun ever since and his future is secure with the Catalan club until 2010.
Nigeria's Mikel doesn't know where he will be next, let alone whose shirt he is going to wear. Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been involved in his transfer saga from Norway's Lyn, making for a summer of mystery and intrigue.
When asked where he is heading after tomorrow's final, he is reduced to an embarrassed giggle.
'I don't know. I really don't know what is going to happen," he said in a whisper after leading Nigeria past Morocco 3-0 in the semi-finals.
'We just have to wait for the tournament to end and then I'll make a decision."
There are no such worries to fatigue Messi.
Steadily, the scrawny teen has climbed through the system at Barcelona, blending in with the likes of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o this past season. He played in the European Champions League and in several first-team matches last season, becoming the youngest player ever to score for the first team of the storied club.
On Wednesday, he agreed to an enhanced contract with Barcelona.
For the Argentine Under-20s, he has scored four goals and directed his team from the first minute to the last, drawing comparisons with Diego Maradona.
'There is no comparison possible, since Maradona is unique," the shy Messi said. Others don't withhold the superlatives.
'He's our jewel," Barcelona president Joan Laporta said.
Mikel, meanwhile, is still a diamond in the rough. He also was spotted early, not by a powerful European club, but by local officials. After appearing in several youth tournaments with his west African country, he travelled to Europe and this year ended up with Oslo's Lyn, where he tasted European First Division soccer.
'Playing in Norway is a very good experience for me because I can develop further," he said, arguing it gives him the international experience he needs.
'Playing this tournament is not a very big deal for me because I have been playing in games like this," he said.
However, it hardly compares to playing La Liga like Messi.
Their styles too contrast sharply.
Messi appears relatively small at 1.70m, but with speed and agility that enables him seemingly to be everywhere, restlessly seeking openings and using his intricate skills to bedazzle defenders.
Mikel is comparatively taller at 1.86m and seems slower, but manages to win balls with his long reach and launches long passes before defenders can close him down. His vision is exemplary.
'Mikel is like the man in the middle, slowing the game - and then make it move faster," Nigerian coach Samson Siasia said.
Siasia puts it simple. 'He is just a genius." - AP