Real Madrid sign former Barcelona academy player Takefusa Kubo… dubbed the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’: ‘We have one of the most promising young players in world football’

Real Madrid have completed the signing of FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo, dubbed the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’.

Kubo, who was once on Madrid’s arch rivals Barcelona’s books, made his debut for Japan’s senior team last month and will feature for his country at the Copa America in Brazil.
On Friday, the La Liga outfit revealed that the exciting talent will join up with their Castilla youth team in Spain’s third division next campaign.

‘Real Madrid will have one of the most promising young players in world football, an attacking midfielder of excellent technique and very skilled,’ the statement said.

The 18-year-old earned his special nickname after being invited to Barcelona’s youth academy as a nine-year-old back in 2011 before leaving four years later.