Lionel Messi makes his feelings clear on Lamine Yamal with huge claim about 17-year-old

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is very complimentary when talking about current teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.

Like Yamal, Lionel Messi burst onto the scene at the Nou Camp as a teenager, scoring his first goal for Barcelona in 2005, in a La Liga game against Albacete aged 17.

The Catalans went on to win the La Liga title that year and the Champions League the season after.

Still, Messi has taken notice of Yamal’s performances.

Speaking to Simplemente Futbol, Messi said: “It’s impressive what Lamine Yamal shows… he’s already been a Euro champion with Spain.

“He’s still only 17, he’s in a growth process, and he’ll continue to grow as a player and add things to his game, just like I did.

“He has incredible qualities and he’s already one of the best players in the world.”

As Messi noted, Yamal has already won the Euros with Spain. The teenager ended up being a key player for Spain at Euro 2024, playing an influential role against Germany in the quarter-finals, before scoring a stunning goal against France in the semis.

It has been well documented that Messi’s journey with Argentina was a far longer and more painful process. Of course, Messi lifted the World Cup as Argentina captain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He had to go through some difficult experiences on the way.

Lamine Yamal celebrates another goal. Image: Getty

In fact, Messi didn’t win a senior international tournament with Argentina until the 2021 Copa America. That came 16 years after his international debut.

Messi is undoubtedly in a great position to cast his opinion on Yamal, who unlike Messi has yet to win the Champions League. Messi did so on four occasions for Barcelona, who are once more in the semi-finals.

If Yamal can continue to inspire the Catalans, it could lead to Barcelona winning the Champions League once more. The last time they did so was 10 years ago, when Messi was still very much the driving force of the side. Barcelona fans will be hoping Yamal can take on Messi’s mantle and lead the club to being the best in Europe once more.