Few footballers throughout history have been comparable to Lionel Messi.
Last week, Eden Hazard even suggested that there was only one possible greatest of all time when the question was put to him, answering that it was the Argentinian.
There are even doubts over whether Cristiano Ronaldo matches up to him, and he would be a generational talent in most eras.
And the level of approval for Messi jumped up another step this weekend when he scored his 400th La Liga goal for Barcelona.
That came against Eibar on Sunday evening and was followed by Real Madrid's victory over Real Betis.
A player who shone in that game was Vinicius Junior, the 18-year-old Brazilian winger.
That led to comparisons between Vinicius and the elder statesman of La Liga following the wins by the two Spanish giants.
After Barcelona's game, it was put to Messi's team-mate Jordi Alba that there was a similarity.
A reporter asked: 'In Madrid they compare Vinicius with Messi. What do you think about that?'
Alba replied simply to the reporter, simply commenting: 'Goodnight!'
If there were any doubts over Alba's feelings about Messi and Vinicius, they were clearly quickly cleared up.
RealMd13
234
Jordi Alba had hilarious reply after being asked to compare Lionel Messi to Real Madrid Vinicius jr Me: 😂 i think that was a mocking Question cuz No body compare Vinicius jr to Lionel Messi and the only Player who has Lionel Messi playing style in Real Madrid Its Brahim Diaz! And him too he cant be compared to Lionel Messi
Kobbyk
136
I think for once I must confess that the press should stop this NONSENSE of comparing young and upcoming players to Messi.. What do I see here? I see that this press end up putting huge responsibility on these young players that they end up fading along the line. Don't please compare these young players to Messi u are rather killing them than good. Now let's look at player who where compared to him and where they are now.. KIM - of Barcelona academy very talented now missing. JESE - of real Madrid missing as well ADAMA - Barcelona B also missing DELEFEOU - Barcelona also missing ISCO - We all know what's happening to him ASENSIO - Where is he? So please press men kindly leave these young players alone to grow and once again STOP THAT NONSENSE FOR ONCE.
Sedabcdl
93
No one in his right mind should now begin to compare Vinicious to Messi. The young lad is just beginning to take his first step. I am a fan of Vinicious but not a blind one just because he plays for the team that I love. Vinicious has more to learn to get to the level of Messi or CR7.