Napoli starlet Lorenzo Insigne knows teammates are comparing him with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.

Big things are expected from Insigne this season.

"I thank Goran (Pandev) for comparing me to Messi, but let's not exaggerate... It is better to avoid such comparisons. Messi is extraordinary, even if personally I still think the greatest player who ever lived was Diego Maradona," he told La Repubblica.

"Zdenek Zeman helped me a great deal at Pescara last season and I grew enough to earn my chance at Napoli.

"I have always supported this club and would like to one day become a symbol of Napoli."