NEW Manchester United whizkid Amad Diallo has been tipped to challenge for the Ballon d’Or within five years – by the man who set him on the road to stardom.
Ex-AC Milan and Italy keeper Giovanni Galli believes the winger, 18, just needs to add “strength” to his “unique” skills.
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Galli was sporting director at Serie C side Lucchese when he was alerted to the Ivorian’s dazzling displays for amateur club Boca Barco.
He arranged a trial with Atalanta, which Diallo sailed through, quickly joining the Italian top-flight side.
United then arranged a £37million deal, with Diallo finally arriving at Old Trafford two months ago.
Galli told Goal: “Amad is unique but he must make himself stronger.
“At the same time, he must make sure he does not lose his speed, which is a quality that distinguishes him from others.
“In short, I think he has all the qualities to be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or in the next five years.”
Diallo is already in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team squad, albeit rarely playing, and has just been called up to the Ivory Coast senior set-up.
And his former Atalanta team-mate, Argentina attacker Papu Gomez, has even compared him to Lionel Messi.
Gomez left Italy for Sevilla in January, just as Diallo was off to United.
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And the 33-year-old said: “He’s a future star, trust me.
“During our training sessions he plays like Messi.
“You can’t stop him, he’s unbelievable, our centre-backs have serious problems when he is on the pitch. He’s fantastic.”
