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Barcelona teen-sensation Lamine Yamal talked about facing Argentine icon Lionel Messi in the upcoming Finalissima. Calling the Inter Miami star as the 'best player of all time', the 18-year old said that there would be mutual respect between him and Messi when Spain face Argentina in March 2026.
Lamine Yamal makes honest admission facing Lionel Messi
During his recent interview with CBS's '60 Minutes' (h/t AS), Lamine Yamal said:
"I think that Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time, but he also knows that I'm a good player. There will be mutual respect if we play against each other."
The Spanish winger also addressed the comparisons between him and the former Barcelona star. Yamal said that despite wearing the same number 10 for La Blaugrana as Messi, he's not trying to recreate the Argentine's style of play and is keen on creating his own identity.
"He knows that I'm not trying to be him, to play like him, or wear the #10 like him. I want to be my own," he added.
At just 18 years old, Yamal has made 119 appearances for Barcelona's senior side across all competitions, amassing 32 goals and giving 43 assists. The Spanish forward has won two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana with La Blaugrana.
Last year, he led Spain win the Euros, scoring one goal and four assists
Former Premier League star says Lamine Yamal would never overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Louis Saha has said that Lamine Yamal won't match the legacy of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He lacked obsession with football. However, the former Manchester United forward still praised the 18-year-old for his potential.
Louis Saha said during a recent interview with OLBG:
"Could Lamine Yamal one day overtake Lionel Messi? It would be good for him, but I don't think so. I doubt that he can achieve that because I see Lamine Yamal's quality as a player, but I don't see an obsession where you really focus on your football that Cristiano Ronaldo also has."
On the contrary, the former Premier League attacker thinks that Yamal is more likely to follow Neymar's path. The Brazilian winger, who left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017, is currently playing for Santos at the age of 33. He added:
"These guys are absolutely insanely obsessed. Some distractions are already around Yamal; that's not good. I think you'll find him dragged away from the game like Neymar, who has, for me, maybe better quality."
During his time at the Catalan club between 2013 and 2017, Neymar was considered as one of the biggest top talents in Europe. After joining PSG, his career was hindered by many injuries as never reached his full potential.
In 2023, he joined Al-Hilal but made only seven appearances for the side in two years.
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