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Yamal Can’t be Compared to Anyone, ‘Not Even Messi’

‘Not even Lionel Messi was at this level’ – Barcelona & Spain wonderkid Lamine Yamal ‘can’t be compared to anyone’ after shattering more records at 16 years of age. Barcelona wonder kid Lamine Yamal “can’t be compared to anyone”, says Fernando Llorente, as “not even Lionel Messi was at this level at that age”.

Youngsters rewriting the history books
Another La Masia Academy graduate
Starring for club & country in his teens

Youngsters rewriting the history books: What occurred?
Yamal, who has followed Messi out of the famed La Masia academy system in Catalunya, continues to rewrite the history books at 16 years of age. Having already broken several records with Barca and Spain, he has now become the youngest player to start a European Championship game and provide an assist at that tournament.

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The perspective

Those marks were hit during a Euro 2024 opener against Croatia, with Yamal catching the eye in an impressive 3-0 victory for La Roja. The precociously-gifted forward will not turn 17 until July 13, with remarkable heights being hit by one so young.

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Another La Masia Academy graduate: Llorente statement

Former Spain international Llorente has told Sky Sport Italia of Yamal’s rapid rise and why he could be considered to sit above all-time greats at this stage of his career: “Not even Messi was at this level at that age. Lamine Yamal does extraordinary things. He can’t be compared to anyone.”

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight during Spain’s Euro 2024 opener against Croatia on Saturday evening.

As Spain secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, the focus was on Yamal, who became the youngest player to provide an assist in European Championship’s history.

Heading into the game, he also clinched the record of being the youngest to ever start in a Euro game.

Although Yamal was unable to find the back of the net against Croatia, his performance, which included an assist, raised the eyebrows of many footballing personalities across Europe.

Fernando Llorente heaps praise on YamalOne of them was former Spain forward Fernandez Llorente, who went a step further by declaring Yamal a better player than Lionel Messi at his age.

“Not even Messi was at this level at that age. Lamine Yamal does extraordinary things. He can’t be compared to anyone,” he said

A stellar performance from Lamine Yamal vs Croatia (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Llorente’s statements come on the back of Yamal’s excellent 2023/24 campaign, with the forward notably enjoying a valuation increase of €90 million – more than any other player in the world.

At just 16, the winger was involved in 17 goals in all competitions, notably helping Barcelona secure second place in La Liga and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

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While Llorente’s comments on Yamal might seem a bit ludicrous to many, his observations are not ill-founded.

Indeed, Messi, despite his unbreakable record at Barcelona, hadn’t actually made an impact in senior football until he was 17. Yamal, in comparison, has made over 50 competitive appearances for Barcelona.

What Messi achieved afterwards, though, is what counts the most. And Barcelona fans will be having similar expectations from Yamal as well, as the young Spaniard looks to emulate the Argentine legend.

What lies ahead for Yamal?

Yamal made his senior debut for Barca at 15 and has already passed 50 competitive appearances for the Liga giants. He has eight caps and two goals for his country, with comparisons to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi seemingly never far away.