“They call him Messi” – Newcastle youngster’s talent praised, has ‘makings of a potential star’

Newcastle United youngster Yankuba Minteh today gets some high praise in the Italian media.

The story comes from Sport Italia, who featured an interview with Daniele Caleca, the manager who just recently left his job at Gambia’s national team.

The coach had a long conversation about his job at the African country, and when speaking of the young talents he had in his hand, he mentioned the Newcastle player.

Caleca made big compliments towards Minteh, claiming the Magpies have a gem on their hands.

“Another interesting name I feel like mentioning, who is the youngest of those we have in the squad, is Yankuba Minteh, a striker who plays for Feyenoord but is owned by Newcastle. In Gambia they call him ‘Messi’ (laughs) because he is the classic contemporary winger, quick, jumping man. I hope for him that he continues on this path because in the last year he has grown a lot: he has the makings of a potential star,” Caleca told Sport Italia.

Minteh used to belong to Danish side Odense, and was signed by Newcastle on a €8m deal last summer. With the Magpies not finding a place for him in the first team this season, they immediately loaned him out to Feyenoord, where he’s staying until the next summer.

The winger has four goals and two assists in 18 appearances for the Eredivisie side so far, and is managing to get quite a few starts there, which can only be good for his development.

Newcastle have Minteh under contract until 2028, and certainly have no hurry to see the best from him.