Newcastle Prodigy Ayoze Perez Compared to Barcelona Legends Maradona and Messi

Newcastle youngster Ayoze Perez has earned comparisons in Spain with both all-time legends Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi, after scoring a sensational solo goal during a friendly against Carlisle United.

The 21-year-old striker moved to St James Park this summer after the Magpies beat other big European suitors - including Porto - for his services by meeting his £2m release clause at Tenerife.

Perez was a sensation in the Spanish second division last season, scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances, and looks like he is ready to prove his worth in the Premier League.

The under-21 Spanish international caught manager Alan Pardew's eye at Benton training ground during a friendly against Carlisle, scoring four goals before the half-time, including a sensational solo compared with Maradona's and Messi's.

"Is Ayoze's goal against Carlise better than the one from Maradona and Messi?," Spanish AS questioned.

"The Spanish Newcastle striker dribbled almost half of Carlise United team in a friendly. It was a world-class goal," the Spanish newspaper added.

Perez is yet to make an starting appearance for the Magpies since his summer move to England even though he has impressed in a number of cameos as a late sub, almost scoring a goal against Manchester City on his debut in the Premier League opener.

Pardew left him out of the bench during the Stoke City defeat on Monday, but after his sensational performance against Carlisle, may consider giving the Spaniard a full Premier League debut to prove his worth against Swansea on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the Magpies have scored only five goals in their six Premier league games this season, with new signing Emmanuel Riviere struggling to fill the gap left by Loic Remy.