Lionel Messi is one of a kind, I guess we can all agree on that. The little man can dribble like no other and accelerates like a high speed train through a small rural station. You can’t find any player that is identical to him, in FM 2013 or in real life, but since FM 13 has introduced that new button called «find similar players» I though it would be nice to play around with it. So I tried to find FM 2013 players similar to Lionel Messi, here’s the top 10 that resulted.
But first, let’s see Messi… The screen shot is taken at the end of the first season, one in which he bagged more than 50 goals (52 in 50 appearances to be precise, with 25 assists to boot).
He looks dynamite, doesn’t he? He’s got a full 20 for no less than 5 attributes and quite a few 19s too.
Before showing you the Messi look-alikes, I have to tell you how I found them. Basically I ran a search for players with the following attribute filters:
- Technique — at least 17
- Creativity — at least 16
- Flair — at least 16
- Acceleration — at least 16
- Agility — at least 16
And now, finally, the FM 2013 players similar to Messi, ordered by age (youngest first):
1. Iker Muniain
The Basque kid will surely become a star, considering his high attributes at such a young age. Who knows, maybe Barcelona will buy him after all.
2. Mario Gotze
You all know about this formidable talent from Germany, an exceptional young player that will surely become a huge star. I think he’s one of the closest to being identical to Messi.
3. Eden Hazard
The Chelsea rising star is already well-known around the world, a player that will surely be revered by Blues fans for years to come. He can still develop considering he’s only 22 years old but I doubt he’ll become as good as Messi.
4. Sergio Aguero
Aguero is an obvious choice, they play for the same nation and they do look similar on the pitch on some occasions, especially when trying to weave their way past a whole bunch of opponents.
5. Takashi Inui
This Japanese lad is the big surprise of this chart, I have to admit that I don’t know much about him. But, as you can see from the screen shot, he’s got amazing speed and skills so he can well be a cheap version of Messi for your club. You will have to alter his haircut a little bit though :)
6. Juan Mata
Mata is another obvious choice, the two do look quite similar on the ball even though the Chelsea man doesn’t have Messi’s speed.
7. Hatem Ben Arfa
Darren will surely agree with this choice as Ben Arfa probably is his favourite player in FM 2013. He has great speed and amazing skills, a great choice for any club I’d say, even Barcelona.
8. Sebastian Giovinco
The Juventus fans will probably be pleased to see their shorty in this list. Giovinco is a player I have always admired, a great talent that still has a lot to say in football.
9. Santi Cazorla
Cazorla is a cheap version of Messi I’d say, a devil on the ball and a good shooter from distance as well. He doesn’t have Messi’s finishing though…
10. Vagner Love
This lad was widely overrated a few years back in Football Manager but that doesn’t mean he’s not good. He’s quick, skillful, and a good few centimetres taller than Messi :)
That’s about it, I hope you liked this post at least as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome, share your view in the comments.
vaibhavc
25 ноября, 2012 at 10:20
It is a shock to see Inui in! I would not have known about him if it wasn’t for this.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2012 at 10:27
Haha, I know the feeling. I rubbed my eyes before checking his profile again :)
Darren Smith
25 ноября, 2012 at 10:47
Hatem Ben Arfa, Hatem Ben Arfa!!! My wife probably thinks he’s actually a women I’m having an affair with ;) Honestly love him in FM13 and I maybe scream out his name a little too often. lol. Nice post Johnny, and some very interesting entrants too!
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2012 at 10:56
LOL I shout Messi’s name quite often but fortunately my wife knows who he is :)
Nick Sundin
25 ноября, 2012 at 14:43
I had to check who wrote the article so it wasn’t an excuse for Darren to talk about Ben Arfa a bit more! Shame he’s injured for the Saints game.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2012 at 15:25
No, it was another excuse for me to talk about Messi :)
Darren Smith
25 ноября, 2012 at 20:27
lol, I can’t talk enough about Ben Arfa :)
Chai Chien Liang
25 ноября, 2012 at 12:01
Glad to see Giovinco on the list, Inui was definitely the shocker in this list (cheap wages too)
Ben Arfa is brilliant this year, Vagner Love would be good if his work rate was a bit better
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2012 at 12:09
Yep, I agree with your considerations.
Gaurav Chaddah
25 ноября, 2012 at 22:16
Very good piece their Johnny, the new ‘find similar players’ is very good.
Not suprised to see those players on their, Ronaldo is some one who I though might of but maybes not, Hazard is absloute brilliant and can tear defences apart as can Ben Arfa. Inui is a shocker but he looks very good.
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2012 at 07:03
Thanks. Who knows, «players similar to Ronaldo» might be next ;)
Thales De Mattos Oliveira
26 ноября, 2012 at 15:21
Neymar should be on this list. I don`t agree with his 14 creativity… He is one of the most creative players in the world…
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2012 at 15:29
Don’t know what to say, I haven’t watched too many of his games even though I try to follow the Brazilian league.
sekje
26 ноября, 2012 at 23:31
where the fuck is insigne? more the same than any of these players..
Johnny Karp
27 ноября, 2012 at 07:21
He’s good but his low creativity took him out of contention.
P.S.: Careful with the language around here.
Cameron Moulton
27 ноября, 2012 at 17:07
Great to see Muniain as the youngest messi type player considering I’m doing Athletic Bilbao he’ll be great were should I play him up front as a Trequartisa like in your Barca tactic. Also I was wondering were his profile is on the scouting network got to be up soon.
Johnny Karp
27 ноября, 2012 at 19:55
Muniain’s profile will surely be there sooner or later.
rui
16 декабря, 2012 at 23:53
why erick lamela isn´t here ?
Johnny Karp
17 декабря, 2012 at 07:58
He didn’t have the right attributes, I think I have explained that in the post.
Islam Aboauf
14 февраля, 2013 at 20:06
where is erik lamela !
Johnny Karp
15 февраля, 2013 at 06:44
He is probably at home at the moment, should be in training later in the day.
Dave Humphrey
19 апреля, 2013 at 18:37
Maybe 3 out the 4 don’t seem to do it for me when buy ronaldo messi Gotze they need seem to click like they do in real life i have tried Messi as forward Attacking centre midfield just behind forward and even left wing for messi he doesnt do anything. Gotze is the same i try him as AML Attacking playmaker just behind the striker i play 4-2-3-1 formation and 4-2-4 for home formation with Balanced Attacking for him and fluid counter for away