United ace seeks to emulate Messi

Damian Casalinuovo has been inspired by the exploits of his fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi ahead of Dundee United's Scottish Cup semi-final. Casalinuovo was born just eight days before 22-year-old Barcelona superstar Messi, who was hailed as the best player in the world following his sensational four-goal haul in Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Arsenal.Having failed to score in his last 12 games, Casalinuovo will be happy to reproduce just a tiny bit of Messi's magic against Raith Rovers at Hampden on Sunday."Everywhere in the world, people are talking about him," said the summer signing from Platense."If you're Argentinian, you feel a little bit part of it, just because you share many things with him."He's achieving so many things, you see this and you say, 'I want to be like that'."It's an impossible level - he's incredible."He's on his way to be the best of all time. He's only 22 and he's doing awesome."Casalinuovo believes that in order to be rated above the likes of Diego Maradona and Pele, Messi now needs to reproduce his club form at a World Cup, starting this summer."In the national team, he's not doing as well as at Barcelona," he said."People are still waiting for him because we know one day he will show in the national team what he's shown for Barcelona."We hope this World Cup will be the chance."Raith striker Iain Williamson claims Wednesday night's First Division win at Ayr United has put him and his team-mates into a relaxed frame of mind ahead of Sunday's clash.Rovers are still in danger of going down but the 2-0 win at Somerset Park left them six points above the relegation play-off spot."The win against Ayr was massive," said former Dunfermline man Williamson."It gives us confidence going in to the United game, we can look forward to it and enjoy it and really go for it."There have been a lot of games recently and there is tiredness but I think that goes out the window at a semi-final."

Source: Team_Talk