Chanathip: 'I can't take Messi's shadow'

Chanathip said there were several times in the match, he tried to rob the ball from Messi's foot but failed. "I am confident in my speed, but Messi is even faster," he told Chinese television CGTN on July 21. "Thanks to that, I realized the difference between me and the world level."

On July 20, PSG won Kawasaki 2-1 in a friendly match in Tokyo, Japan. Chanathip kicked the main side of Kawasaki and had a situation that broke the ball right on the lime line from Messi's shot. The Thai midfielder repeatedly retreated to rob the ball with superstar Argentina, but often unsuccessful and overcome.

Messi played out that he opened the score in the 32nd minute. The Japanese club removed a goal thanks to the header of midfielder Kazuya Yamamura. After the match, Chanathip lingered to wait for the Messi signature.

Despite losing, Chanathip still feels satisfied when it is competed with the top club like PSG. "Such experiences do not come much to me in life," he said. "Messi's presence in Japan not only affects me, but also with other players and children."

Chanathip left Sapporo to join Kawasaki in January 2022, with a record transfer fee of Japan about 3.8 million USD. He played 11 in 20 matches in J-League this season, but has not scored. The Thai player considers the experience of Messi as a motivation to help him strive to improve.