Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Alexander Isak praises Barcelona's Lionel Messi amid Real Madrid links

Reported Real Madrid target Alexander Isak has said he is a big fan of La Liga and that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is among his favourite players.

Media in both Spain and his native Sweden have reported that AIK Solna's Isak, 17, has already agreed a €10 million move to Madrid, with the deal not yet formalised due to the Bernabeu side being under a transfer ban until summer 2017.

The talented youngster is reported to have visited Madrid's Valdedebas training facility recently with his family, and has also interested Premier League side Chelsea.

He told Fotbollskanalens podcast Lundh that he was attracted by the quality of football played in Spain.

"I like the football in La Liga the most," Isak said. "But if I have to choose something to watch I choose the Premier League, because it always has good games with a lot of swings. You never know who will win. So I would say the Premier League is the most fun to watch, but the football in La Liga is better."

The teenager named Messi along with his Blaugrana teammate Neymar and Manchester United's Paul Pogba as his favourite players.

"I like Messi of course, I like Neymar, I like Pogba," Isak said. "I like many players, but they are my three favourites.

"I loved to watch Ronaldo, the fat one, [Thierry] Henry and Ronaldinho. I liked them a lot."

Asked about comparisons with Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Isak said: "[Ibrahimovic] is an absolutely fantastic player, but I do not really follow what the papers say. I am going to be relaxed about it."

Asked about his favourite team, Isak said: "I will keep that a secret. You never know where you end up."

On his future plans, he added: "You never know what will happen in football."

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