'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal talked about facing Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in the upcoming Finalissima. Billing the Inter Miami captain as the 'best footballer of all time', the 18-year-old claimed that there would be mutual respect between him and Messi when Spain take on Argentina in March 2026.
During his recent interview with CBS's '60 Minutes' (h/t AS), Lamine Yamal said (via Barca Universal):
"I think that Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time, but he also knows that I'm a good player. There will be mutual respect if we play against each other."
The Spanish forward also addressed the comparisons between him and the former Barcelona star. Yamal stated that despite wearing the same number 10 for La Blaugrana as Messi, he's not trying to replicate the Argentine's style of play and is keen on making his own identity.
Trending
"He knows that I'm not trying to be him, to play like him, or wear the #10 like him. I want to be my own," he added.
At just 18 years old, Yamal has made 119 appearances for Barcelona's senior team across all competitions, scoring 32 goals and providing 43 assists. The Spanish forward has won two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España with La Blaugrana.
Last year, he also helped Spain win the European Championships, bagging one goal and four assists.
Former Premier League star claims Lamine Yamal would never overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Louis Saha has claimed that Lamine Yamal won't match the legacy of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because he lacked obsession with football. However, the former Manchester United forward still lauded the 18-year-old for his quality and skills.
Louis Saha said during a recent interview with OLBG (via GOAL):
"Could Lamine Yamal one day overtake Lionel Messi? It would be good for him, but I don't think so. I doubt that he can achieve that because I see Lamine Yamal's quality as a player, but I don't see an obsession where you really focus on your football that Cristiano Ronaldo also has."
On the contrary, the former Premier League attacker believes that Yamal is more likely to follow in the footsteps of Neymar. The Brazilian attacker, who left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017, is currently playing for Santos at the age of 33. He added:
"These guys are absolutely insanely obsessed. Some distractions are already around Yamal; that's not good. I think you'll find him dragged away from the game like Neymar, who has, for me, maybe better quality."
During his time at the Catalan club between 2013 and 2017, Neymar was seen as one of the top talents in Europe. After joining Paris Saint-Germain, his career was marred by injuries as he never reached his full potential.
In 2023, he joined Al-Hilal but made only seven appearances for the side in two years.
