With Lionel Messi now retired from international football after 208 caps, 126 goals and 67 assists, the Argentine leaves as arguably the sport's greatest ever player. Over the years, several young English players have been burdened with the tag of 'the English Messi' due to a comparable playing style, only to struggle with the weight of expectation.
Mirror Football recalls three players who were compared to Messi in their youth, the teams they've played for and where they are now.
Harvey Elliott
Standing at 1.7 metres with a silky left foot, Harvey Elliott was dubbed 'the English Messi' by the media after joining Liverpool from Fulham in 2019. Following an impressive loan at Blackburn, he broke into Jurgen Klopp's starting line-up before a horrific ankle fracture in September 2021 halted his momentum.
Though he recovered to make 53 appearances in 2023/24, his game time dropped under Arne Slot, prompting a loan to Aston Villa. After Villa opted against activating his purchase clause, Elliott endured a wasted season in the Second City. Still contracted to Liverpool, he is now looking to kickstart his career on loan at Valencia.
Marcus Edwards
Speaking in 2016, then Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remarked that Marcus Edwards' movement, body shape and dribbling style reminded him "a little bit of the beginning of Messi." The 17-year-old had just made his Spurs debut against Gillingham in the League Cup, but the pressure proved difficult to bear.
After failing to make the grade at Spurs, Edwards took a leap abroad, rebuilding his career in Portugal with Vitoria de Guimaraes. His form earned him a move to Sporting CP, where the winger scored 24 goals in 120 appearances. In 2025, Edwards returned to England with Burnley, where the now-27-year-old features in the Championship.
Callum Gribbin
Former Manchester United youngster Callum Gribbin announced his promise during Edwin van der Sar's 2011 testimonial, scoring twice, including dispossessing a young Matthijs de Ligt, before a packed Amsterdam Arena. His cheek and flair drew interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, earning him comparisons to Messi.
However, off-pitch issues hindered his progression just as he approached senior breakthroughs. After leaving Old Trafford, Gribbin had short spells with Sheffield United, Barrow and Radcliffe across the Football League and non-league. He has been without a club since leaving Warrington Rylands in 2025.
