Lionel Messi Barcelona’s teenage sensation has admitted Lamin Yamal He misses himself when he was younger.
Earlier this week, during an event at Adidas’ Herzogenaurach headquarters in Germany, Nigerian artist Goke Oyewo asked Messi to name a new generation player who reminded him of his childhood.
“There is a very good generation of young footballers who still have many years left,” Messi said.
“If I had to choose someone, because of the age and because of his future, I heard they chose Lamin Yamal and there is no doubt about that [it’s him] For me also.
“I think it depends on him and a lot of things because that’s how football is, but he is present and there is no doubt that he has a huge future.”
Yamal is a product of Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia, as Messi said comparisons to the Argentina international are unfair as it is impossible to reach his level.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, 37, left Barca in 2021 after winning a record 34 titles in 21 years at the club.
Yamal, 17, was named Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024 after helping Spain win the title, and was ranked eighth in the recent Ballon d’Or rankings.
The Spanish forward has scored five goals and set up a further 10 in 15 league appearances this season, helping Barca lead the LaLiga standings.
“I would love to see Barcelona win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League,” Messi said. “And the years they don’t do it, at least it’s competitive until the last minute.”