The Osasuna forward was linked with the Blaugrana prior to picking up an unfortunate injury and admits he is hoping to link up with an Argentina icon

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is “the only person you can’t compare”, says Chimy Avila, with the Osasuna forward still hoping to be given the chance to link up with a fellow Argentine at some stage.

During the Blaugrana’s search for an emergency striker deal, the sights of those at Camp Nou drifted towards a number of La Liga rivals.

Martin Braithwaite was eventually snapped up as cover for the injured Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez, but Avila was said to be in the frame at one point.

He then suffered an unfortunate knee injury which forced him under the knife, but the 26-year-old hopes a window of opportunity has not completely passed him by, with the Rosario native still eager to play alongside a fellow countryman that he considers to be the best of all time.

“Any player would like to play with Messi, or have a coach like [Atletico Madrid boss] Cholo Simeone,” Avila told Marca.

“Messi is the only person you can’t compare. I always say Messi because [Diego] Maradona I only saw on video and I’ve played against Messi.”