'Japanese Messi' On Being Booed By Barca Fans

A player who has been dubbed the "Japanese Lionel Messi" by many went up against his former club FC Barcelona on the weekend, and was greeted with boos from sections of the Camp Nou. The star, who is loan from Real Madrid, has since discussed the jeers he received.

Click through the gallery above to see some images of the youngster in action against his former club on Saturday.

Takefusa Kubo, 18, lined up for Mallorca in their 5-2 LaLiga defeat to the Catalan giants on Saturday, just a few months after signing for rivals Los Blancos.

The Japan international was forced to leave Barca due to a FIFA sanction, as the club had breached rules in securing his signature.

After the match this past weekend, the teenage sensation, who has earned comparisons to Messi, admitted he thought the reaction from the home crowd was warranted.  

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"That's the decision of the fans," he said, according to Onefootball.

"I made my call and they have the right to whistle me. I think I deserve it, although there were people who also applauded me, which gave me courage.

"Does it hurt? No, they have to see me as a rival, not as an 18-year-old boy who plays football pretty well."

Kubo spent four years in Barca's youth set-up between 2011 and 2015, before he returned to Japan.

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The wonderkid has played 13 times for Mallorca this season already, contributing to three goals.