Leeds-linked talent reportedly astonished Messi and Iniesta as a teenager on debut

Leeds United have been offered a chance to sign Barcelona talent Riqui Puig on loan in January, according to 90min.

The Barcelona youngster has played just three minutes of football this season. Barca manager Ronald Koeman has multiple players at his disposal in midfield and Puig has been told to consider a loan move to get some game time.

The 21-year-old’s agent has been approaching clubs ahead of the January transfer window – and Leeds are allegedly one of them. The Whites’ possession-based, high-intensity football is viewed as the ideal system for Puig to develop his game.

Marcelo Bielsa is viewed by many as one of the greatest tacticians in the history of the game. Puig will learn a lot from the Argentine if he joins Leeds, and a quick phone call from Lionel Messi could convince the Whites boss to take him in.

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Messi knows Puig very well having shared the dressing room with him over the last two years. The Spaniard made his debut as a teenager in a Copa del Rey game against Cultural Leonesa in 2018, and his performance showed the world what he is capable of.

Puig came on as a substitute in the 55th minute. He caught the eye immediately with his movement and passing, and it took him less than 15 minutes to get his first senior assist.

Puig’s performance astonished Messi and Iniesta

Spanish outlet Sport revealed after the game that his performance and his excellent assist for Denis Suarez’s goal left Messi, Luis Suarez and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta astonished.

Puig is viewed by many as one of La Masia’s brightest ever talents. He is destined for big things in his career, and Leeds could play a small yet important part in his progress if they manage to sign him on loan in the January transfer window.

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