‘Humble’ Lamine Yamal admits reaching Lionel Messi’s level is impossible

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal admitted reaching levels of club legend Lionel Messi would be impossible, and deemed the comparison as ‘unfair’. 

‘Humble’ Lamine Yamal admits reaching Lionel Messi’s level is impossible

Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal admitted he won't be able to reach the levels of Lionel Messi. (via Barca Blaugranes)

Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal recently admitted that reaching to levels of club legend Lionel Messi would be impossible for him, and deemed the comparison between him and the Argentine as ‘unfair’. 

Lamine Yamal has been tipped by many fans and pundits to be a successor to ex-Barcelona star and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi. He had a brilliant debut season last year, scoring seven goals in 50 appearances. The 17-year-old winger was also a breakout star at the 2024 Euros in Germany, becoming the youngest player to ever feature, score and win the coveted tournament. He considers Messi as his idol, with a photo of him at six months old with Messi, emerging on social media. 

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The forward, however, in a recent interview, humbly brushed aside comparisons between him and Messi, whom he labeled as the ‘greatest player in the history of football’. Moreover, he added that reaching to the Argentine’s level would be impossible, owing to the fact that he is the club’s all time top-scorer and holds several records. Lamine went on to state that he wanted to make a name of his own, and that Messi had passed on some of his powers to him. 

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I like being compared to the best player in football history, but I want to be myself. Reaching Messi’s level is impossible.
Lamine Yamal said on El Hormiguero (via Mundo Deportivo)

Yamal has already started the new season on a positive note, under newly appointed manager Hansi Flick. He has already scored a goal and assisted four times in four back-to-back wins for the Catalan club. Barca are on top of the La Liga table, with 12 points. 

Lamine Yamal expresses wish to play alongside Nico Williams every week, amid Barcelona transfer rumors

FC Barcelona were in the race to sign Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams this summer, but the 22-year-old opted to stay in Basque. His fellow national teammate Lamine Yamal spoke about the prospects of playing alongside the Bilbao winger. 

Lamine Yamal Nico Williams
Lamine Yamal hoped to play alongside Nico Williams at Barcelona someday. (via X)

Williams and Yamal shone at the Euros in Germany, while cementing their place on the side. In a recent interview, the 17-year-old spoke about his close friend and teammate Williams, and admitted that he wants to play alongside the left-winger at Barcelona someday, in case he decides to join the Catalan club. 

We like the same things, the same music, we dance on TikTok. I would like to play every week with him, hopefully, but he is now at Athletic.
Lamine Yamal said on El Hormiguero

Yamal’s wish of playing alongside his compatriot might come true, in case Barca decides to persuade Williams to join the club in 2025. However, in a recent interview, sporting director Deco stated that the club has other priorities over signing an additional winger.