The Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo, who was presented as a new Barcelona player on Thursday, admitted that former Barcelona players Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta are two of his footballing references, but that being compared to them will not affect him.
"I have never hidden the passion I feel for these two players and being compared to them is fantastic, but it won't affect me. I see them as a mirror, they are a reference for me, people who have made history in the club. But I am Arthur, I have a long career ahead of me and I have to show the world why I am here," he said.
"I will work to get as close to them as possible," he added in a press conference.
The Brazilian signed his new contract in the Camp Nou box and was then presented to the public by FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu in the first tier of the stadium's stand.
"We are very happy that a young player (he will turn 22 next month), with talent and such an important projection, comes to Barça with this ambition," Bartomeu emphasized, recalling that Arthur is the thirty-ninth Brazilian player to wear the blue and garnet shirt.
After this brief presentation, Arthur went into the locker room to change into his kit, put on his boots and walk onto the field to kick the ball around while posing for the media.