Pele: Hernandez can be next Messi

razil legend Pele has been impressed by the impact made by Manchester United's Javier Hernandez this season and thinks the Mexican can be 'the next Lionel Messi'.

Javier Hernandez and Lionel Messi
GettyImagesJavier Hernandez and Lionel Messi at the 2010 World Cup

• Aguirre: Hernandez is Torres' equal
• Hubbard: Best signings of season

Pele has watched on as the 22-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm with 13 goals in 26 Premier League appearances for the club since his arrival in the summer. And the Brazilian has heaped praise onto the striker.

"There is no doubt that Hernandez is a promising player. He is excellent, I have seen some games of his on television and he is a fantastic footballer," Pele told a press conference. ''He could be the next Messi because he has great talent; he is a big surprise just as Hugo Sanchez was because he is another that scores a lot of goals.

"We should wait a little, because we still don't know how he will play in the Mexican team... but without doubt, he has huge potential."

However, Pele spoke in less glowing terms of the World Player of the Year, claiming that he has yet to replicate his club form for his country.

"There is a big difference between Barcelona's Messi and Argentina's Messi. When Messi plays in the Seleccion he is not the same player," he concluded.