"Hopefully one day we can reach their level" - Barcelona star wants to emulate Messi-Alves partnership with Lamine Yamal
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has expressed his desire to replicate the iconic partnership between Lionel Messi and Dani Alves with Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman has owned the right-back position at Barcelona and has been one of the first names on the team sheet under Hansi Flick.
Kounde was predominantly a centre-back when he joined La Blaugrana from Sevilla in July 2022 for a reported fee of €50 million (via Transfermarkt). However, he was mostly used as a right-back by former manager Xavi Hernandez. Over time, he has adapted to his new role and has become a seasoned right-back at present.
Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, has been earmarked by many as the next big thing in football. The 17-year-old made his debut in Barca's 4-0 win over Real Betis on April 29, 2023. This season, the teenage prodigy has recorded five goals and seven assists in just 13 club games.
Speaking about the prodigal La Masia graduate in a YouTube interview with fan-streamer Markaroni, Jules Kounde said (via Barca Universal):
“I think we understand each other pretty well. Lamine is very easy to play with. He is young and sometimes I have to talk to him, especially on the defensive side because offensive-wise, I can't. I can’t teach him anything.”
He was also asked about his connection with the Spaniard and its comparison with the iconic Messi-Alves partnership. The Frenchman opined:
“The comparison is great and hopefully one day we can reach their level – Lamine-Messi and me-Alves. They were two amazing players and the connection was one of the best ever between a right-back and a right winger.”
Lionel Messi and Dani Alves share a whopping 48 joint goal participation over 349 games played together for Barcelona. Their partnership was a nightmare for the opposition throughout their primes and produced some timeless moments in Barcelona's history.
However, the Kounde-Lamine duo is far from coming close to the Messi-Alves partnership in terms of numbers. Till now, the two have played 59 games together, registering just one joint goal participation. The goal came in the 4-2 win over Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarter-final on January 24, 2024.
What have Lionel Messi and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal said about each other?
Lamine Yamal waived off comparisons with Lionel Messi in an interview on Radioestadio Noche during UEFA Euro 2024. The Spaniard was asked about comparisons with the talismanic Argentine at such a young age.
Referring to Leo as the best player in history, the La Masia teenager commented that he would be happy to emulate even a part of his career.
"He is the best player in history and being compared to him is incredible, but it has nothing to do with him. There is no one who can compare to him, and let alone me, who has just started. I wish I could have half of his career," Yamal said.
Meanwhile, the Argentine maestro has also had some kind words for the Spaniard. After winning his record-eighth Ballon d'Or, Leo tipped Yamal to win the award at some point in the future.
"I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young and plays for Barcelona, will play a prominent role and fight for (the Ballon d'Or) in the future too," he commented. (via L'Equipe)
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will clash against each other for the first time when Spain take on Argentina in the 2025 Finalissima.