Manchester United of England youth team player, Shola Shoretire has cast a look back at his earliest days in the round leather game and recounted how he looked up the South American duo of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although both legends of the game are from different countries, Argentina and Brazil respectively, and cut across two generations at Barcelona of Spain, Shoretire recalled that he admired them during their days with Barca.
Speaking against the backdrop of his latest invitation to train with United’s first team during pre-season, the 17-year-old Nigerian-born lad added that he also admired Enland icon, Alan Shearer, who made top marks with Newcastle Unitd, the club he supported as akid.
Sherotire, who in February emerged as the youngest player to represent United in any European club competition at the age of 17 years and 23 days, when he replaced Mason Greenwood in the 76th minute of a goalless draw against Real Sociedad of Spain, now aims to emulate his idols.
The Newcastle-born lad, who won Man United’s Young Player of the Year award, following his haul of ten goals for The Red Devils’ under-23 squad in the English Premier League 2, went on to reveal that watching Messi, Ronaldinho and Shearer helped get him into football.
Shoretire told United’s official website: “I was very young when I was in Newcastle, but the people that I looked up to were my favourite players, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho. I think I have tried to make my game like theirs, quite technical and a good all-round player.
“I think, playing for Newcastle, a bit before my time, Alan Shearer. He is the legend up there in Newcastle for what he’s done for the club. Hearing his stories and the history of the club, that is what got me into playing football in Newcastle.”
