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DOS SANTOS POISED FOR BARCA PLACE

Mexican teenager Giovanni Dos Santos looks set to follow Lionel Messi's example by becoming the latest product of Barcelona's renowned 'La Masia' academy to break into Frank Rijkaard's side.

Messi was catapulted into the limelight last season with his electric performances for Barca.

With a Champions League winners' medal and World Cup campaign under his belt, though, the Argentinian is ready to pass the torch onto the latest young superstar in Catalonia.

The 17-year-old Dos Santos scored for the first team in Friday's 3-0 victory over Aarhus in Denmark and is already attracting praise - albeit cautiously - from team-mates and technical staff.

Following the victory, Rijkaard told the club's official website, www.fcbarcelona.cat: "I'm especially pleased with the way the youngsters did.

"Giovanni scored a cracking goal and fitted in well with the rest of the team. It's important that the youngsters make a good impression when they play with the first team."

Fellow newcomer Eidur Gudjohnsen, bought from Chelsea this summer, played alongside Dos Santos on the first game of the Denmark trip and hailed his young team-mate's goal and general performance.

"I've been two months without playing, but I felt pretty good and glad to be able take part in a goal," he said.

"It's good that Rijkaard tries me out in different positions.

"Giovanni was fantastic."

Dos Santos has barely any experience even for Barca's 'B' team and was playing for the Under-18 side last season.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain was keen to play down the emergence of Dos Santos, who is likely to be included in Rijkaard's squad for the forthcoming tour of the USA.

"For the moment, he is just one more player and we'll see later if Frank wants him to go to America," said the former Blaugrana player.

"He has the same chance as anybody and we should not make comparisons.

"Messi is Messi, and is in the first team and has played at a World Cup. Giovanni Dos Santos is a good player, but let's not get over-excited."

Those in the know have been monitoring Dos Santos' progress for some time after hearing murmurs about a brilliant Mexican boy with as much promise as Messi.

And it seems this could be the season Dos Santos makes the breakthrough.