Arsenal’s latest sensation, Max Dowman, has been compared to Lionel Messi by Premier League legend John Terry following the Gunners’ latest successful outing in England’s top flight.
Arsenal beat Everton 2 – 0 in the Premier League over the weekend to maintain their lead at the top. They are now a few games away from claiming their first Premier League title since their Invincibles season over two decades ago.
16-year-old Max Dowman was one of the standouts of the match, and he got a goal to cap his fine performance in the closing stages of the game. It was an expertly taken goal too, with the youngster beating three Everton defenders and being shielded by Gabriel Martinelli as he slotted the ball into an empty net.
The game was a sort of announcement for the youngster, whose talents have already been compared to those of some of the best youngsters in the world at the moment. Terry, who coached Chelsea for many seasons and witnessed a few talents of his own on his team and in Arsenal, praised Dowman for his performance and likened him to Messi for his gameplay.
A video posted on his TikTok page praised Dowman’s ability to beat defenders with ease and composure despite his age.
“Max Dowman. What a player, by the way,” Terry said. “16 years of age, almost 17, absolutely incredible.”
“I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago, and I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than Messi. That’s a big, big comparison, but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future and also England’s as well.”
Wayne Rooney, Terry’s teammate in past England national teams, also praised Dowman’s impact after the Arsenal winger became the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer. However, Rooney questions the youngster’s ability to focus on professional football when he has school.
“He has got his GCSEs and his education, which I’m sure for him and his family is important as well,” he said on The Wayne Rooney Show.
“What an opportunity for him to be around the squad. He could be a Premier League winner while he’s still finishing school. He’s got an aura and a belief about him, and it was the same against Everton. If it’s education first, I don’t think we’ll see much of him over the next few weeks.”
Rooney added: “He won’t be in as much as he’d probably like, but then you’ve got many years ahead of you.”