Paulo Dybala insists 'I don't want to be the new Messi

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala says he's not looking to be "the new Messi," playing down comparisions between him and his fellow Argentine ahead of his side's Champions League quarterfinal tie against Barcelona.

"People should know that I am Dybala and I want to continue to be so," the Juventus forward told Italian daily La Repubblica. "I understand the comparisons and expectations on me from the Argentines, but I don't want to be the new Messi or the Messi of the future.

"There is only one Messi, like [Diego] Maradona. No one has ever told me that I am his heir."

Dybala and Messi have only played together once -- in Argentina's 1-0 win over Uruguay in September -- and Dybala, who was sent off in that game, said they "haven't had a great relationship."

"I really admire him. I respect him," Dybala said ahead of Tuesday's first leg in Turin. "He has won many Champions Leagues. I haven't won any and I'm dreaming about the first."