Paulo Dybala has the Messi trait Gonzalo Higuain lacks, says Argentina legend Diego Maradona

Posted Friday, March 31, 2017 by squawka.com

Diego Maradona has hailed Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and believes the 23-year-old is a 'phenomenon'.

Dybala joined the Old Lady in 2015 from fellow Serie A side Palermo and proved to be a fantastic acquisition, after netting 19 league goals in his opening season.

This campaign may not be as productive as last term on a personal note for Dybala – he has netted just eight goals in 22 games so far – but the forward's all-round play has been heralded by many.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with Dybala as a result and Maradona can certainly see why so people are talking up the Argentina forward.

"I've been following him since he was at Instituto," Maradona told TyC Sports. "He just needs to play as many games as possible, but he'll make it because he's a phenomenon.

"Sometimes he tries to do things which are too quick for Italian football, he's yet to get used to a certain way of playing but give him time and he'll keep improving. He's on the level of players like [Lionel] Messi, [Gonzalo] Higuain and [Sergio] Aguero.

"Messi is by far the best, but the other three are great players, each with his own characteristics. Messi and Dybala, for example, have feet Higuain doesn't have. Therefore I'll say that Higuain will keep scoring, but Dybala will keep growing."

Dybala has drafted up a strong partnership with compatriot Gonzalo Higuain this season, with the pair working to devastating effect in Serie A and the Champions League.

Dybala will be hoping to play a big part when Juventus meet Barcelona next month in the Champions League last eight.