HOME > Football

Stealing from a superstar! Ekitic: Mbappe is like an older brother, and I’m impressed by Messi’s vision

12:22pm, 9 November 2025【Football】

November 9th: Liverpool forward Ekitic reviewed his Paris career in a recent interview and talked about topics related to Mbappe, Messi and Neymar.

Ekitic's career choice highlights the characteristics of this young man - just like his playing style, he has a unique vision and never rests on his laurels. While rising to prominence at Reims, the teenager unexpectedly chose to join Danish side Vejle on loan.

"It's not a strange decision, but it does go beyond what people normally expect from a young star," Ekitic explained, saying he was eager for more playing time after debuting on the senior team stage with his hometown club. He then completed his first blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain and established a deep friendship with Kylian Mbappe, but the expected breakthrough never came.

Ekitic said frankly: "He was like an older brother to me. I was unable to play and I was in a difficult situation. He has always treated me very well and always gave me advice. "

"He has witnessed my low point in Paris, so it is also gratifying to see that my situation has improved now. We will hopefully meet again and play together in the national team. He is faster than me - I am also very fast, but he is one of the fastest players in the world. . I hope I can reach his level one day, but we are different types of forwards. He has absolute speed, and I am more of a player who provides services to the team. "

Although he was recognized as one of the best young centers in France, when he lost his position in Paris, Ekitic did not hesitate to bid farewell to the Ligue 1 champions and came to Frankfurt to regroup, and his excellent performance also successfully attracted the attention of Liverpool. While other major signings were still struggling, Ekitic, who was transferred for 69 million pounds, quickly integrated. His confidence and calmness may come from the experience of playing alongside Mbappe, Messi, Neymar and Dembélé. He has observed these superstars up close and detailed.

"I can't say to the public that I can replicate their performance on the court, but if I can absorb the subtleties of their game - even running without the ball - I am happy to accept it because I did observe them repeatedly during my time in Paris. I still study them today. I try to absorb nutrients from the players I admire and improve my own skills through observation and learning. "

"Messi's vision impressed me, and now I will try to predict the situation earlier before receiving the ball. Neymar taught me certain skills, such as ball control and fancy movements. Mbappe's running without the ball is also worth learning, he can always create space through movement. There are so many details worth learning that it is difficult to list simply, but I have indeed gained valuable wealth from these great players. "