Argentinean football legend Diego Maradona praised Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi’s performance in the UEFA Champions League clash against Chelsea on Wednesday.

"I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi,” Maradona was quoted as saying by BBC on Friday.

"Messi is beautiful to watch - my kind of player in our blue and white jersey. He's a leader and is offering classes in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world," he added.

Maradona also compared the 18-year-old to FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho and said that Messi reminded him of his youth.

"Messi is the best player in the world, along with Ronaldinho. I see him as very similar to me," the former Argentine captain said.

Messi inspired Argentina to win the U-20 World Cup last June, in which he was nmed player of the tournament and was the leading goal-scorer.