Not for the first time in his fledgling career, Borussia Dortmund sensation Christian Pulisic is being spoken about in the same breath as the great Lionel Messi.

The USA magician has attempted more dribbles (86) than almost every other player across Europe's top five leagues so far this season - all except Messi (113) and Paris-Saint Germain's Neymar (96). Mainz midfielder Levin Öztunali (61) also features in the Opta top 10.

Pulisic's fondness for taking on opposition players was plain to see in Der Klassiker last weekend. Although Dortmund lost the game 3-1, the 19-year-old came up smelling of roses after spending most of the evening tying up Bayern Munich right-back Joshua Kimmich in knots.

"Pulisic was clearly our best player," BVB head coach Peter Bosz told Sky after the match. "He had an incredible game."

So good, in fact, that Germany legend Lothar Matthäus could even see him one day joining former Dortmund stars Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels in the Bavarian capital.

"When Bayern Munich eventually look for a replacement for [Arjen] Robben and [Franck] Ribery, then they have to put out their feelers for Pulisic," the ex-Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern and Inter Milan midfielder said. "He is 19 and has the quality."

Watch: Boy wonder, Christian Pulisic

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Pulisic, enjoying his second full season of senior football, has made 16 appearances in all competitions so far in 2017/18, registering three goals and one assist. Not quite Messi numbers - 16 goals and five assists in 17 outings - but he is heading in the right direction.

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