In a revelation that’s sending shockwaves through the football universe, the immortal Zlatan Ibrahimović has anointed a 10-year-old Italian kid named Ciro Messi as the next global superstar – claiming the boy is a carbon copy of prime Lionel Messi at La Masia, with the potential to surpass him! The Swedish legend didn’t hold back in a explosive interview, declaring Ciro a “new monster” destined to terrorize defenses and keep Europe up at night. If Zlatan says it, you better believe it – because when God speaks football, the world listens!

The hype train left the station during a candid chat on the Italian TV show “Che Tempo Che Fa” in early November 2025. Zlatan, ever the oracle of talent, was asked about emerging wonders when he unleashed this gem: “I have a lot of faith in this kid, Ciro Messi. I saw him play and it was like seeing Messi at La Masia. The same way of running, the same vision, the same dribbling. He’s a new talent who will go far.”

But Zlatan being Zlatan, he cranked it up to god mode: “Maybe he won’t be a new Messi, but at least we’ll see something similar, or even better, who knows? I foresee a good future for him, and my dream is to see him develop well at La Masia.” Then came the killer line that broke the internet: “I heard they’re interested in him, but he’s still a child and needs care. I hope that in the future he’ll join them. If that happens, Europe will have a new monster that will make them sleep late again.”

Sleep late? That’s Zlatan code for strikers losing sleep over nightmares of this kid humiliating them. Social media imploded within minutes. #CiroMessi trended globally, amassing 4.2 million mentions in 24 hours. Clips of Zlatan’s prophecy racked up 50 million views on TikTok alone, with fans editing Ciro’s amateur footage over Messi’s iconic goals to the soundtrack of thunderous applause.

So who is this pint-sized phenom stealing Zlatan’s heart? Ciro Messi – yes, that’s his real surname, no relation to Lionel beyond cosmic coincidence – is a 10-year-old attacking midfielder born in 2015 in Benevento, Italy. Playing for the youth setup at Benevento Calcio, little Ciro has been torching local leagues with jaw-dropping skills: slaloming through defenders like they’re training cones, threading no-look passes, and finishing with both feet like it’s nothing.

Videos leaked online show him in a friendly tournament last summer, scoring a Maradona-esque solo run from midfield – dribbling past six players before chipping the keeper. Another clip has him curling free-kicks into the top bin at age nine. Scouts whisper he’s already on radars from Juventus, Napoli, and yes – Barcelona. La Masia officials reportedly sent feelers after Zlatan’s shoutout, with rumors of a pre-contract invite swirling.

Zlatan didn’t scout him by accident. The AC Milan icon, now 44 and still kicking as a senior advisor, caught wind of Ciro through Italian youth circuits. “I saw him live,” Zlatan roared. “Not on YouTube – live! The boy moves like the ball is glued to his foot. Left foot? Deadly. Vision? He sees passes before they exist. At 10? I was good, but this kid… this kid is special.”

The Messi parallels are uncanny. Same low center of gravity, same explosive acceleration, same unnatural calmness under pressure. Ciro wears No. 10, idolizes Lionel (obviously), and even mimics the celebration – hands to ears, soaking in imaginary roars. His dad, a former semi-pro, named him “Messi” as a tribute after watching the Argentine dismantle Real Madrid in 2011. Fate? Or football gods scripting the sequel?

Experts are buzzing. Italian pundit Fabio Caressa called it “the biggest youth endorsement since Zlatan hyped Pogba.” Barcelona’s academy director Jose Ramon Alexanko stayed coy: “We monitor talents worldwide. If Zlatan says he’s La Masia material, we listen – Zlatan doesn’t miss.” Meanwhile, Lionel Messi himself liked a post about Ciro on Instagram, sending fans into orbit. Coincidence? Or the GOAT passing the torch?

But Zlatan’s warning is clear: handle with care. “He’s a child,” he stressed. “No pressure. Let him play, let him dream. If Barcelona takes him, feeds him the right way… boom! New monster. Defenders will cry again.”

This isn’t Zlatan’s first prophecy. He called out Haaland as “a young me” years ago, backed Mbappé early, and even mentored Balotelli. When Zlatan speaks, careers launch. Remember his famous line: “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions”? Well, Ciro just got the ultimate callback.

As clips of the kid’s highlights flood the web – that one where he Megs a defender twice in one run, or the rabona assist – the hype is real. Benevento’s youth coach gushed: “Ciro trains with 14-year-olds and dominates. He’s humble, works hard – pure joy.”

The dream scenario? Ciro at La Masia by 12, debuting for Barca at 16, linking up with Lamine Yamal for a new golden era. Or staying in Italy, becoming Serie A’s king. Either way, Zlatan’s crystal ball says stardom.

One thing’s guaranteed: Europe, stock up on coffee. If this “Mini Messi” hits La Masia, the monster awakens. Zlatan has spoken – and football just found its next obsession. Ciro Messi: remember the name, because soon, the world won’t shut up about it!