Allan Saint-Maximin slams claims that he is simply a 'gifted player' | OneFootball

Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin has hit back at claims that he is simply a gifted player as opposed to a hard worker.

The 23-year-old says he works tirelessly to get better and looks up to Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for inspiration.

“People think that I do nothing, that I live on my ‘natural’ qualities,” he told France Football.

“I am not someone who likes to show what he does, who shows up every time he goes to the room, posting photos, videos.

“Perhaps because I am a believer too and in my faith it is not necessarily good to always display what we do, as a form of vanity.

“And then we have to agree on the concept of work.

“Lionel Messi for example, OK, he certainly has extraordinary coordination qualities.

“But when you look at his ball-handling, which is so special, I am convinced that it is because he had to walk around almost constantly with a ball.

“His touch, his frequency, his ankle flexibility were refined during all these moments.

“I would say that a dribbler must gain his freedom because if you too often fail (when on the ball), you compromise everyone.

“As a youngster, you don’t really need to gain this freedom because it is football without real constraints, so when you are good, you are given credit.

“In professional football, you must have a real performance and not put your team in danger for your game to be accepted.

“This is what I like for example with Kylian (Mbappé) : his game leaves you no choice. He’s so strong, so effective, you have to give him the ball.

“This is what you have to achieve, that it is so obvious that naturally you are given the ball. Let your freedom be imposed on others.”

The France U-21 international has provided a number of dazzling displays this season and has three goals and four assists to show for his efforts.