Javier Zanetti labels Lamine Yamal comparisons to Lionel Messi as ‘premature’; explains what Barcelona star must do to be ‘among the best’
Former player Javier Zanetti has weighed in on the rising comparisons between teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Yamal, who burst on the scene with his heroics for Spain in Euro 2024, has since been compared with Messi.
Just like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal grew through the ranks at Barcelona and is predominantly a left-footed winger. Apart from that, many believe that the 17-year-old possesses the dribbling ability, creativity, and playmaking skills of the Argentine legend. In the just-concluded season, Yamal consistently displayed flashes of brilliance, urging fans to describe him as ‘Messi Regen.'
The Spaniard’s impressive performances haven’t gone under the radar, as he is a top contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Despite all the praise Yamal has received, Javier Zanetti believes it is far too early to elevate the young winger to the same pedestal as Lionel Messi. The former Inter Milan defender added that Yamal must achieve longevity in order to be put in the same bracket as the Argentine icon.
In an interview with Flashscore, Zanetti was asked if it’s too much to compare Yamal with Messi, to which he responded:
"Today, yes, because Messi was the best for a long time. He was in the elite for a long period and Leo is the essence of football. If Lamine achieves this... With consistency, he’ll be among the best. But today, the truth is that talking about him today and comparing him to Messi is very premature."
However, the 51-year-old lauded Yamal for his strong personality at just 17, saying:
"(He's) different, with a lot of speed, with a lot of calm. We are talking about a 17-year-old boy, but with a great personality. A player who always wants the ball. The truth is that Barcelona, I spoke with Laporta, has an extraordinary player."
“Being compared to him means that you’re doing things right” – When Lamine Yamal addressed comparisons with Lionel Messi
Lamine Yamal is aware that he is compared to Messi, but the youngster is reluctant to share the same podium with the Argentine legend. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo in February, Yamal said he ignores the comparisons and focuses on being himself, while adding that Messi is the best player in history.
When asked if he found the comparisons with Messi normal, the Barcelona star said:
“Luckily, I’m not the first to have this happen to me. That means that it’s something that people have inside them every time they see a left-footed winger, or sometimes just when one is left-footed."
“I try to be myself. Obviously, Messi, I always say this, is the best player in history and being compared to him means that you’re doing things right, but I try to be myself. I try to make my way and give everything for this shirt," he added.
Lionel Messi is the player with the most Ballon d'Or (eight) awards in football history.
