Mexico and Napoli winger Hirving Lozano is flattered by comparisons with United States forward Christian Pulisic, while the American isn't looking to hype up any rivalry between the two.
Both players -- considered the best of the next generation on each side of the U.S.-Mexico rivalry -- have been asked about the other in the build-up to Friday's friendly at MetLife Stadium, with Pulisic shying away from inflammatory comments and not wanting to replicate Zlatan Ibrahimovic's penchant for talking himself up.
"I'm not going to give you like an 'Ibra' answer here," Chelsea forward Pulisic told media in New Jersey on Wednesday. "It's tough. I don't know what to say. I'm not like that. I'm very confident in myself."
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LA Galaxy striker Ibrahimovic has said this season that he is better than LAFC's Carlos Vela, but Lozano was more respectful when talking about Pulisic and praised the 20-year-old.
"He's a great player, he was at Borussia Dortmund, now he's at Chelsea," said Lozano in an interview with TUDN. "He's a player with a lot of quality. I've seen him play and he plays well, so it's nice that they compare me to him."
Mexico defeated the United States two months ago to lift the Gold Cup, and Friday's friendly is each team's first game since, with Lozano believing the U.S. will be especially motivated.
"It's going to be really nice and difficult because they are going to think that it is revenge," Lozano said. "It'll be a very good game."
Mexico fans may well be in the majority in New Jersey, and Lozano is grateful for the support he has received with El Tri.
"I thank all Mexicans for the support, I thank them a lot because the majority support me and that's something I'll never forget," he said. "Whenever I heard [the "Chucky" Lozano chant in Russia] I felt like crying and all this that I've gone through, I've done with my family and I think that is the most important thing."
Pulisic acknowledged that El Tri's faithful are passionate and added that he's settled well at Chelsea under Frank Lampard since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.
"I mean, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. It's incredible," said Pulisic. "It worked out really well, for sure. Frank's a great guy and he's helped me so much and he understands where I'm coming from and he's done a really good job and helped me, teaching us, especially a lot of the younger guys on the team."