Four Premier League starlets have caught Lionel Messi’s eye. In a list relayed by Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, the Argentine legend named Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, Brighton’s Brajan Gruda, Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha and Strasbourg’s Kendry Páez (on loan from Chelsea) among his ten most promising young players in world football.

The ranking was published as part of a campaign with Messi’s sportswear sponsor. He selected ten emerging male and female talents to receive a special edition of his boots. 

Four names connected to English clubs underlines the Premier League’s strength.

The Brazilian report highlights Andrey Santos, who joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama and won the Club World Cup. He has also been called up by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil. Páez, his Chelsea-owned teammate, has impressed in France. Meanwhile, Gruda has started making an impact at Brighton, and Ngumoha is considered one of Liverpool’s brightest academy hopes.

Other players chosen by Messi include Nico Paz (Como), Mohamed Kader Meite (Rennes), Clara Serrajordi (Barcelona), Mika Godts (Ajax), Lily Yohannes (Lyon) and Rodrigo Mora (Porto).

Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona wonderkid and recent Kopa Trophy winner, was surprisingly left out. Still, Messi’s list places English...