“He’s a different player” - Jordi Cruyff weighs in on comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal
Barcelona's Sporting director Jordi Cruyff has weighed in on the comparisons between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. The Spanish youngster recently burst onto the scene for the Catalan club and his performances have seen him getting compared to the legendary Argentine forward.
Jordi comes from footballing royalty himself, being the son of football great Johan Cruyff. He came through the La Masia academy to play 3566 minutes for Blaugranna across 54 games and scored 11 goals before he sealed a reported €2.5 million move to Manchester United in 1996.
The former footballer believes it is too early to compare the young Spaniard to the World Cup-winning Argentine, telling Radio Marca via Tribal football:
"He's a different player, with a different talent, with a lot of personality for his age. From day one, he hasn't been afraid of 'give me the ball, I'll make my move' and the truth is that if injuries don't affect him, he's obviously a player who will mark an era, but to say that he's going to be a Messi... We'll know when he's 30."
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players in modern football and the greatest player in Barcelona's illustrious history. He bagged 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games for the Catalan side.
Lamine Yamal, who recently won the Euro 2024 with Spain, will hope to come close to his legendary output for the side in his career.
"Reaching Messi's level is impossible" Barcelona star Lamine Yamal shuts down Lionel Messi comparisons
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has shut down comparisons between himself and club legend Lionel Messi. The Spanish winger is one of the best young players in the world and plays a starring role for his club and country at just 17 years old.
Like Messi, Yamal came through Blaugrana's famed La Masia academy and is now a star on the biggest stage in the world. However, he does not want to compare himself with the iconic Argentine.
In a discussion with Spanish TV station Antena 3, the 17-year-old winger said via Eurosport:
"I like that they compare me to the greatest player in the history of football, but I want to be myself, Reaching Messi's level is impossible."
Lionel Messi, 37, is at the end of his legendary career now. With Lamine Yamal 20 years junior than the Inter Miami star, and at the start of his own story, fans will hope that he can light up Camp Nou as the Argentine legend did.