Enzo Fernandez has called Lionel Messi the "player I look up to" during one of his first interviews as Britain's most expensive footballer.
Fernandez, 22, joined Chelsea in a record £106.7million deal from Benfica last month after winning the World Cup with Argentina in December. The emerging midfielder was handed the Young Player Award for his outstanding performances in Qatar.
Messi, 35, was Argentina's captain at the World Cup and won the competition's Golden Ball for the second time in his illustrious career for scoring seven goals and providing three assists. Fernandez has hailed the impact Messi has had on his blossoming career.
"I’ve always said Leo Messi was a player I look up to," Fernandez, who has impressed since his big-money transfer, told Chelsea's website. "I’ve always tried to learn from him. He’s a great person and has given me love and support within the team."
Fernandez got the chance to play against Messi when Benfica faced Paris Saint-Germain during the group stage of this season's Champions League. Both games finished in 1-1 draws, with both teams progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Fernandez added: "I also had to face him when I played for Benfica in the Champions League, as he played for PSG. Right after that, we became team-mates in the Argentina squad. He’s a great person. Very humble, hard-working. He deserves everything he’s achieved in football."
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Messi has enjoyed a wonderful international career after winning the U20 World Cup in 2005, the Olympics in 2008, the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. The Barcelona legend also won the Finalissima against European champions Italy in 2022.
For a long time, though, Messi's story with Argentina was different. He lost three finals in three years - including the 2014 World Cup final - which encouraged him to announce his international football in 2016. Thankfully for Argentina, he changed his mind.
Messi also lost the 2007 Copa America final, but all those defeats are now irrelevant thanks to Argentina's success during the last two years. Fernandez, who was just 16 when Messi temporarily hung up his international boots, has recalled the episode.
Fernandez continued: "I remember we went through tough times with the squad, and the press criticised Leo so harshly. I tried to explain how I feel about him.
"I asked him to stay, as he said he wouldn’t play for the team anymore. I defended him to stay with us, playing for the squad. I was pretty young back then! He means a lot to everyone in the world. He’s a legend for Argentina.
"He’s a loved person, an idol for all Argentinians, for our children. As a person, I have no complaints about him. He’s always given me so much love. He’s always respected me and was a great team-mate in all senses. I’m very thankful for having played with him."
