Cole Palmer’s Phenomenal Performance Draws Comparison to Lionel Messi

Palmer produced two breathtaking assists that flipped the game on its head and propelled Chelsea to a historic night.

In what will go down as one of the most inspired performances of the season, Chelsea’s rising star Cole Palmer delivered a masterclass in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The 23-year-old attacker led the Blues to a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Betis. Palmer once again displayed the magic that has become synonymous with his name this season, so much so that he drew comparisons to none other than Lionel Messi.

Chelsea were trailing 1-0 at halftime and they needed something special in the second half. Palmer rose to the occassion emphatically. The England international produced two breathtaking assists that flipped the game on its head and propelled Chelsea to a historic night. The Blues became the first club to win all four major UEFA trophies (Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and Conference League).

An Absolute Genius: Joe Cole

With his composure and vision, Palmer toyed with the Real Betis defence in the second-half. His first assist was an inch-perfect cross, which was met by Enzo Fernandez. That goal drew Chelsea level. Moments later, Palmer left his marker for dead with a spin move before setting up Nicolas Jackson, who made no mistake in front of goal.

Cole Palmer vs Real Betis
pic.twitter.com/cOT6kRhXKe
— jb (@simplyjb22) May 28, 2025

Also Read: Cole Palmer’s Amazing Chelsea Stats After Conference League Final Heroics

Former Chelsea winger and TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole could not hide his admiration for the Chelsea attacker. Speaking post-match, Cole said:

“If Lionel Messi performed like this on a stage like this, the world stops. We’ve got a player with quality that should have teams built around him for Chelsea and England in my opinion. An absolute genius.”

Joe Cole LOVED Cole Palmer's Conference League-winning performance 💙 pic.twitter.com/p0lnZDNl6D
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 29, 2025

This was a statement performance by Palmer which showed that he belongs on the biggest stages. Having already racked up 69 goal contributions in 91 games since joining Chelsea, Palmer’s numbers reflect his growing stature. He was named Player of the Match in the final and has now astonishingly won every major UEFA trophy by the age of 23.

Also Read: Lionel Messi Scores Stunning Brace in Inter Miami’s 4–2 Win Over Montreal

It’s been a rapid rise for Palmer since his £40 million move from Manchester City in 2023. The young attacker has more than justified the fee with his consistent performances in the Premier League and in European competitions. And with comparisons to Lionel Messi beginning to surface, it’s clear that Palmer is just breaking through right now.

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Cole Palmer

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Conference League Final

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.