The Juventus forward believes there are “very few” players who can reach his compatriot’s level and also expressed his admiration for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has admitted he would be happy to be “just a little bit like” Lionel Messi.

Dybala’s fine performances for the Serie A champions this season have even seen tipped to become Messi’s successor in the Argentina national team.

But the 22-year-old says it will be “very difficult” to emulate the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and insists he is focusing solely on helping Juventus retain the Scudetto.

“There are very few players who can reach Messi’s level,” Dybala told Corriere dello Sport. “I am always trying to be myself. I try to keep improving by working hard and by being committed.

“It will be very hard to match Messi if you look at everything he has achieved. But I always look to do my best for the team. That’s what I try to do in each game I play.

“I don’t really know Messi yet. He was not part of the national team when I was called up. It will be very difficult to become like Messi. I would already be happy if I became even just a little bit like him.

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“The people in Argentina say that I am a bit like Sergio Aguero because of the way I move.”

Dybala has scored 12 goals in Serie A this season and trails only another Argentine, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, in the league’s goalscoring charts.

“I am enjoying Gonzalo’s good run of form because he is my compatriot,” Dybala added.

“I admired him when I was called up for the national team. I am aware of what he can achieve and is currently doing. I am happy to see him scoring, but I obviously hope he does not score against us.

“I would not mind having his right foot. The way he turns and shoots, I can learn from that.”