Mentally strong, technically gifted, Mexico's prolific prodigy is set to take the world of football by storm, with many top clubs including Barca reportedly already lining up for his signature.

Earlier this season, several major European clubs were linked with Mexico's young sensation - Jose Juan Macias. Liga MX Club Leon's 20-year-old striker has been on the rapid rise lately and possesses all the attributes to become a world star. With 7 goals in 15 league games so far this term, Macias has got an international call-up from the national team boss Gerardo Martino (ex-Barca coach in 2013-14).


The Guadalajara-born prodigy is currently getting ready for the CONCACAF Nations League game against Panama, having already scored four goals in three appearances for the senior national team.

Tribuna.com took a chance to chat with Macias to find out more about the player's strengths, aspirations and similarities with Luis Suarez.

"I would like to think that it all starts with my professionalism and hard work," Jose says when asked about his skill set. "I never stop working to get better. I truly believe I can be a top player in the world, and I won't stop until I accomplish that goal - that's part of my mentality."

"I would also like to think that my technique is really good, and still evolving, I am not only a central striker who scores goals, which I do, but I also like to show my skills during the matches and help my team in different ways. And of course, scoring goals, that’s in my DNA and I'll continue to work to get even better and score many more goals."

Jose has been linked to Manchester United, Real Betis and FC Koln. However, the forward himself has been vocal about his desire to join Barcelona.

Speaking on a perfect team for him, Macias provides quite a fitting description: "I would like to play in a team that values the beauty of the game, that likes to play with the ball and attack often. A team that gives a good show for their supporters and I think that style of play goes well with my skills."

"My dream destination is any team that believes in me and sees me as a player with the potential to become the best striker in the world, and a team that wants to help me achieve that goal of mine. And obviously I would love to play in European competitions soon and play against the best players in the world."

At the same time, Jose has already adapted a very mature approach to transfer rumours. The attacker doesn't want to run ahead of the train and is mainly focused on growing as a player. Still, he knows that any team will be more than satisfied to have him in the squad:

"It’s very humbling to have some of the best teams in the world watching me, I truly don’t know if United is looking at me, the press likes to speculate a lot, and I learned not to trust the rumours. But what I can tell you is that if Manchester United, or any team that is looking at me, make their move, they won't be disappointed, and will be a great business for them."

Transfermarkt.com makes Macias look like a steal valuing him at €5 million. For instance, this is €5 million less than Carles Perez, €20 million less than Ansu Fati and €25 million less than Carles Alena. Macias believes that he is significantly underestimated because he is yet to appear on the European stage.

"They out me that value, only because I don’t play in Europe yet, but I definitely feel like a guy who can compete with anyone my age in the world. And if Joao Felix cost over 100 million euros, why not me? It’s not about the price, it's about the talent, and pretty soon you’ll see what I can do in the best leagues in the world."

When watching the forward's highlights, Macias really strikes you with his versatility. Goals from distance, from inside the box, headers, penalties - at just 20 years of age Macias already boasts an impressive set of tools.

It all comes together when you hear Jose talking about his influences:

"I think I have my own style, not many strikers have the mobility, nor the sacrifice that I have. I've been told by people that my style is similar to Luis Suarez or Dennis Bergkamp, also I think I have the killer instinct of Solskjaer, that when he was on the pitch, he would score. And I definitely admire quite a lot Ronaldo Nazario, I model some of my game after him."