Lamine Yamal comparisons with Lionel Messi played down as Deco assesses ‘unique’ Barcelona winger’s future after reported world-record transfer bid from PSG

The 17-year-old’s rapid rise to stardom with Barcelona and Spain has resulted in many comparing him to club legend Messi, heaping more expectation on him. While Deco, who played with the Argentine icon at Camp Nou, sees no problem with the comparisons, he says there is something different about the academy hero.

• AFP

  WHAT DECO SAID

  “I don’t think comparing him to Leo is a problem for him, but rather a source of pride for him. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, it depends on him. He’s growing and I don’t see it as a problem,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

  “In the end, everyone has their own story, there is no comparison. But I understand that at Barca players are compared, football is always like that. What can’t be done? It will be done. What shouldn’t be compared? There will be comparisons. We can’t say things because in the end it’s football, it’s emotion, it’s passion, it’s normal for people to talk, to compare, to remember… But Lamine is unique, it’s his life, he has his life story and the only thing he has is the coincidence of being in the same club as Leo and of being precocious in his appearance although in different situations.

  “Leo arrived at a club and entered into a dynamic of a more established team and Lamine is being part of a revolution, of a reconstruction of the club. They are different moments. But it’s nice, when you compare it’s because you have something good. I don’t think comparing him with Leo is a problem for him but a source of pride for him. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, it depends on him. He’s growing and I don’t see it as a problem.”

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The Euro 2024 winner had the chance to follow in Messi’s footsteps when Paris Saint-Germain reportedly offered to pay €250 million (£208m/$265m) to sign him, but Barcelona rejected the offer.

    “It’s normal that a player like Lamine or others that we have should arouse the interest of clubs, it’s normal,” Deco added when asked about PSG’s interest. “We know what the market is like and what the clubs are like. Lamine is very young but he is very mature for his age. I imagine and see that he is happy to be here. With everything he has at Barca ahead of him, I would dare to say that it is very difficult to change to another club. And it’s not because I’m a Barca fan or because I’m the club’s sporting director. A player who has Barca and who can have a spectacular history at the club, I don’t think he would change for another, but that is something that is up to us.

    “We are very happy with Lamine, he has to be valued like the others and he must build his history. We are calm, there is no concern in this sense but the club has to do what it has to do. There is nothing else. No matter how many contracts and clauses you have, the most important thing is that the players feel happy and comfortable and are eager to make history at the club, that is the most important thing.”

  • (C)Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

    Yamal has been ruled out for up to three weeks with an injury, meaning he will not feature for Spain in the upcoming Nations League matches. He could also be unavailable when Barcelona take in a trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga on November 23.