Hoarau: Pastore no Messi yet

Paris Saint-Germain’s Guillaume Hoarau says it is much too soon to compare his team-mate Javier Pastore with his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi.

Former Palermo star Pastore, 22, has been in impressive form for PSG since joining in the off-season, scoring six goals in 10 Ligue 1 games.

Although striker Hoarau believes Pastore has the potential to one day get close to the ability of Barcelona ace Messi, widely regarded as the world’s best player, the Frenchman thinks it is too soon to be comparing the two.

“It’s a bit premature to make that comparison,” Hoarau told RMC.

“Javier now has the chance to show his class and to try and live up to the high expectations everyone has. We will do our utmost to help him succeed.”

“But to get at Messi’s level – there’s still a long way to go for him. He definitely has the quality though. He can go very far and become one of the best players out there.”

Pastore’s scoring exploits and creativity have helped PSG reach the top of the Ligue 1 table, with the Paris giants holding a three-point lead over second-placed Montpellier after 12 games.