"Lautaro can be a great number '9' for Messi"

The fact that Barça have been following Lautaro Martinez closely is no secret, as many believe he would form a great partnership with Messi. They are compatriots and would understand each other well on the pitch. To further motivate this thesis, Fabio Radaelli, who was one of the architects of his arrival in Serie A, supported it in 'Mundo Deportivo'.

"Lautaro can be a great '9' for Messi. His characteristics are a perfect fit for Leo's game. Inside the box, for example, he is similar to Suarez in his opportunism and the way he marks the passes," he said. This partnership is already paying off for the Argentina national team.

"It is logical. Lautaro is 23 years old and has already played for two big clubs, Racing and Inter. And, now, there is talk of Barcelona, Madrid, City. Before, there was talk of Dortmund. Lautaro is an animal. Messi knows how to choose," said Radaelli of the national team.

He also said that, to play with Messi, "you have to be counter-intelligent. Because Messi is so good that if you don't move well inside the area, without wanting to, he exposes you. You have to be very attentive to everything he does because, at any given moment, he'll give you an incredible ball. So, you have to be prepared not to get into offside. It looks like he's not going to do some things, but he does."