Allegri: Dybala must ignore Messi, Ronaldo comparisons

Paulo Dybala should avoid worrying about comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants to become the best player in the world, said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri Saturday. The 24-year-old Argentine - linked with a possible move to Manchester United - has not hit the heights of last season despite scoring 14 goals in 19 Serie A games including a double in Saturday's 3-1 win at Verona. Dybala had been on the bench in the previous three games but started on Saturday and ensured the six-time defending Serie A champions won for the first time in Verona since 2001.

Paulo Dybala, though. ? pic.twitter.com/wCxtPvD2bt

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"It's important that Paulo found the net again," said Allegri. "After the goal, he started to play better, as he was in a delicate moment where things weren't quite going his way. "Psychology is everything in football and confidence is key. "You have to be focused and determined. I think the only advice for Paulo is to think just about his football and his journey, not worrying about comparisons with players like Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. "In the next three years he will be, together with Neymar, the most important player in the world. Today there are Messi and Ronaldo and it is difficult, but his path is that he has to improve physically, technically and mentally."

Massimiliano Allegri: "When Messi and Ronaldo get older, it will be Neymar and Dybala who will be the best players in the world." pic.twitter.com/WTRS9Nx4nh

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"What I hope for the second half of the season is that Juventus stay in the running on all three fronts," said Allegri, who also refused to rule out the chasing pack of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Lazio who all failed to win on Saturday. "It was important to increase the gap on those behind us and remain close to Napoli," he said. "The others are not out, there are still lots of games to play. The championship will be resolved in the last games."