The Germany international dreams of matching the Barcelona forward's performances, but realises it will not be easy to get there
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Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze feels it is nearly impossible for anyone to reach the same level as Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.
The former Dortmund man has been compared to the Argentina international ever since Germany coach Joachim Low told him to show the world that he is a better player than the Barca man ahead of his substitute cameo at the World cup final, with Gotze eventually scoring the winner to outshine the 27-year-old.
Nevertheless, Gotze remains humble and has insisted that Messi is still in a league of his own.
"Messi has proven his entire career at Barcelona that he is at another level. You simply cannot compare me to Messi," Gotze was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.
"He has achieved so many things and has set the bar so high that it is nearly impossible to reach his level for anyone. Messi is something special and simply an amazing player.
"I am often confronted with Low's words, but I think he only said it to motivate me. And that clearly worked out well.
"Can Pep Guardiola lift me to Messi's level? It would be great if he manages to do that.
"But like I said, Messi has set the bar incredibly high. You can possibly come close occasionally, but it will be tough to perform at that level consistently. I obviously work hard to improve, though."
Gotze, 22, has netted seven goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances so far this term, but has not been involved in a goal for Bayern since their 3-0 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow in early December.