A Genetics expert and head of the European Genome – Phenome Archive (EGA),Arcadi Navarro has revealed that Lionel Messi can be cloned.
Navarra made his claim on an interview with a Spanish radio station, Cadena SER. He claimed that the Barcelona superstar can have a double through the use of existing technology and techniques.
The clone which would arrive as a baby, will carry the same football capabilities as Messi, who is one of the greatest footballers ever, Navarro said.
“Yes, Messi could be cloned with current techniques.
“We would achieve a being very similar to Messi, the result would look like Messi’s twin, as if two twins had been born and we had frozen one of them for 20 or 30 years.
”However, it is no guarantee that Mini-Messi would end up being as good as the real version – because of environmental and educational impacts as well as experience.”
Lionel Messi joined Barcelona FC from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys as a tiny 13 year old. He suffered from growth hormone deficiency and required treatments for four years, from ages 10 to 14.
After joining Barcelona, he spent years at the club’s famed La Masia academy perfecting his skills before maturing to play alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and other great players. He has progressed to becoming one of the best players in the world.
According to Navarro, all these factors make Lionel Messi the phenomenal player he is today and these may not be replicated in the clone.
The scientist added: “This person could have the same potential as Messi, his qualities have a genetic component and another more educational, environmental.
“Messi isn’t who he is only because of his genes, but because of everything he has lived through, his education, his stay in La Masia, the treatment he received.
“Genetics give us potential, then to fulfil it, it’s our own work.”