Teenager called Lionel Messi offered Angers deal

MARSEILLE, France (AP) -- French second-division side Angers has offered a contract to Lionel Messi. Not that Messi, though.

Angers head of youth recruitment Axel Labatiniere said his club watched Lionel Messi Nyamsi, a 17-year-old central midfielder who was born in Cameroon, playing for Toulouse Fontaines in February and was struck by his natural ability.

"I spotted him playing a tournament in the south west of France,'' Labatiniere told The Associated Press by telephone on Tuesday. "We gave him a trial at Angers. He has a really good feel for the game. We've offered him a contract. He is considering it.''

While Barcelona's Messi has scored 55 times this season for the defending European and Spanish champions and recently set a club all-time record with 235 goals, his namesake hopes to join a relegation-battling club languishing in 15th place in division two.

"I've had other offers but I think I'll end up at Angers,'' Messi was quoted as saying on French football website Chronofoot. "My greatest wish is to play alongside Leo Messi. I was born in Cameroon but I'm French. I would choose France.''

Messi is still playing for Toulouse Fontaines.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.