Player Watch - Iker Muniain

Messi- a player of grace, intelligence, ball-control and a lethal left foot. Surely no one can even come close to being compared to the 25 year-old best player in the world from Argentina?...and yet, there is one man who has already begun to show that maybe Spain can have Messi...or perhaps even better?
Age 19 and this young man already has the accolade 'the Spanish Messi'. What an accolade, and this young winger from Bilbao is proving it every game. Iker Muniain the name, remember it. Everyone will know it in a few years.

He made his debut in 2009 for Athletic Bilbao aged 16 years old. Clearly this boy was going to be class? After 2 seasons playing on Bilbao's left wing creating and scoring goals Muniain is now a solid starter or Bilbao and has already attained a cap for the senior Spanish National side. A very consistent player, Muniain sprints up and down the left wing, cutting in and curling crosses in for the likes of Llorente to finish. Bilbao could always rely on Muniain to be available, his record with regard to injuries is impeccable.

This talent was shown off when potential suitors Manchester United came to town- it'd be fair to say that the left wing was firm Bilbao territory, a constant threat to the United defence most attacks came from the left flank. Sir Alex Ferguson could only watch and unwittingly admire his team be ripped apart by this young man.
Bilbao endured a successful season due to a large contribution from Muniain taking the attention of any opposition and thanks to this Bilbao acheived the Europa league final.
Thanks to this success Muniain has attracted interest from all over Europe, mainly Barcelona, Manchester United/City, Liverpool and Chelsea all in the mix.


Muniain, a young player with bags of potential but is this man Spain's answer to Messi?