Newcastle United star Hatem Ben Arfa has said that if it wasn't for poor decisions earlier in his career, he may currently be playing at a level which can be compared to that of Lionel Messi.
The Frenchman who was once the most promising French talent has seen his career falter proceeding his move to St James' Park. As a teenager Ben Arfa had been linked with multiple big money moves however shocked Europe by making a move to Marseille in 2008.
However after falling out of favour at the Stade Velodrome he moved to England where he flourished as a player and reminded the world why he was once such a big prospect. He has since admitted that he wished he had matured earlier in his career:
"I regret not being mature earlier, because I think that today I would be playing at a higher level," he told Surface magazine in an interview to be published on Thursday.
"Perhaps I would be like Messi today. But I've still got time, I can catch him up."
Ben Arfa, who is back in full training with Newcastle following a lengthy hamstring lay-off, is hopeful he can help lead France to the World Cup in 2014.
"In my head, I've still got the 2014 World Cup. For me, it's impossible I don't play in it," he said.
"The current generation has a lot of talented players. But I think they lack leaders."
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