Lionel Messi opens the doors to De Jong and De Ligt
The Argentine star spoke about the Ajax duo kindly
The names of De Ligt and De Jong have become usual when it comes to Barcelona's transfer targets. The club want the Ajax duo and Barcelona's players know it.
Lionel Messi, who spoke to Marca, highlighted the level of both. "They come from a school very similar to our own. There they work in practically the same way. They play like us, having the ball, possession, good feet, they are young players with a lot of precision. Two very good players," said Messi.
The Barca forward also said the club should keep betting on their youth academy, La Masia.
"It's important to go back to betting on the boys from the youth academy, giving them a chance. They need to see it's not impossible to climb and reach the first team. I think that in the future Barca can play with 11 homegrown players because we have a great youth academy, but it will take its time."
On Riqui Puig and Miranda he added: "They have been training with us for a whole and you see they are different players. The club did well in bringing them up to train with us. They will grow more and that's good the club are using people from the youth academy because for a while nobody came. Going back to that model is important for the academy and the club."
