England Women's World Cup star James given Messi and Maradona comparison

talksport.com, 3 August 2023, 11:46

Lauren James has been tipped by her dad, Nigel, to become a global star alongside Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

The 21-year-old has taken the Women's World Cup by storm, despite not featuring against Haiti in England's opening match.

James, who is the sister of Chelsea star Reece, has started the last two Lionesses games, making a huge impact.

The forward scored the only goal as England beat Denmark 1-0 in their second game of the competition.

She then netted twice and grabbed three assists in her side's emphatic 6-1 triumph over China, as England booked their place in the last-16.

Nigel believes she can go on to follow in the footsteps of some of the best to ever grace the game.

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"Lauren (has) done goals like that when she was younger for years," he told BBC Sport.

"And you just look and think to yourself, that word freedom, that's what you talk about, Ronaldinho, [Lionel] Messi, those players, [Diego] Maradona, had that freedom to play. She has the ability to do that."

Nigel certainly has high hopes for his daughter, and believes she can go onto become a prominent figure in the Women's game.

"Absolutely. We don't see to many of those Maradona's, Ronaldinho's, we don't see them anymore," he said.

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"So, on the female side, when you see a player like that, you have to look at it and sit and think to yourself 'wow'. If she remains fit and keeps developing, and having the support around her, why not?"

England face Nigeria in the last 16 of the competition, as Sarina Wiegman's team look to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Read full version: https://talksport.com/football/1520644/england-womens-world-cup-lauren-james-lionel-messi-diego-maradona/

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