The Wrexham Messi: Red Dragons star likened to Ballon d'Or winner after Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney broke transfer record to snap him up

Rathbone arrived at SToK Racecourse in the summer of 2024 when completing a £300,000 move from Rotherham. That was the highest fee that the Red Dragons had ever paid for a player – although said record has since been smashed again on a regular basis.

Wrexham believe they are getting value for money from Rathbone, as he has taken in 31 appearances for the club this season. The 28-year-old midfielder’s efforts have helped Phil Parkinson’s side to third place in the League One table and semi-finals of the Football League Trophy.

His latest outing saw a fourth goal of the season registered, with the finishing touches put to a 2-0 victory at Northampton. Steven Fletcher has suggested that Rathone is becoming Wrexham’s version of Messi, posting on social media alongside an image of his club colleague delivering the same celebration as the Argentine eight-time Ballon d’Or winner: "Everything you have been saying makes sense now."

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Messi boats plenty of entry in the record books, with Rathbone hoping to add one of his own as Wrexham look to become the first EFL team to enjoy three successive promotions. They will be back in action on Tuesday when playing host to Leyton Orient.