Lamine Yamal: Barca Wonderkid Compared to Inter Miami Star Messi

• Barcelona teen prodigy Lamine Yamal has been likened to club legend Lionel Messi
• Just like Messi, he rose through the ranks of the Catalans' famed La Masia academy
• The generational talent has broken an impressive number of records with Barcelona

Barcelona's rising star, Lamine Yamal has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi from head coach, Xavi Hernandez.

Yamal, who made history as the Catalan giants' youngest-ever La Liga debutant, is being likened to the club's greatest footballer - Messi.

At just 16 years old, Yamal has risen to the occasion whenever called upon by the club after fully bursting onto the scene in the 2023/24 season, offering glimpses of the promising career that lies ahead of him.

Hailing from the prestigious La Masia academy, the young Spanish prodigy's qualities bear a resemblance to those of the Argentine maestro, who himself emerged from Barcelona's football factory at a comparable age before going on to conquer the football world.

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With an abundance of creative talent at his disposal, Xavi believes that Lamine can be equated with the club's past star players.

"He’s got the ability in one-on-one situations," he said, as quoted by GOAL. "You have to look for him. As with [Ousmane] Dembele, with Messi… We must get the ball to him. We have to make the most of it and give this type of player a boost."

Yamal rated 'best ever' by former coach

Yamal's extraordinary talents, which led to his inclusion in the Spanish national team, have consistently garnered praise from all quarters.

As Diario AS also reported, a former Barcelona coach went so far as to describe the young prodigy as the best player he had ever managed.

Clearly impressed by the exceptional abilities displayed by the young athlete, Ivan Carrasco hailed the teenage as a natural football talent.

Lamine Yamal receives standing ovation

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Lamine Yamal earning a standing ovation from Villarreal supporters after his electrifying performance for Barcelona during their thrilling seven-goal encounter at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Following his contribution to the Catalans' fourth goal, Xavi decided to substitute him. As he made his way to the bench, he was treated to an enthusiastic standing ovation by Villarreal fans, who acknowledged his performance.