Lothar Matthaus likens two Euro 2024 stars to Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona
German legend Lothar Matthaus has compared two players at Euro 2024 to legendary South Americans Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. The former midfielder likened Lamine Yamal and Jamal Musiala to the two Argentinians due to their fantastic close control and technique.
Both players are incredibly young, but exhibit maturity and control beyond their years on the ball. Musiala, Matthaus' compatriot is just 21 years old and already a nailed-on name for Bayern Munich and Germany. Yamal is even more impressive, with the Spaniard just 16 years old and featuring regularly for Spain and Barcelona.
Musiala had a fine individual season with his club that saw him score 12 and assist eight goals across 38 appearances. He is the joint highest goalscorer at Euro 2024 with two goals. Yamal came to his first European championship after a breakout season that saw him bag seven goals and 10 assists across 51 appearances. The Spaniard is currently the youngest player to ever assist at the Euros.
Their abilities made Matthaus liken them to the great Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, telling Mundo Deportivo:
“Maradona, Messi and now Yamal or Musiala.”
Lamine Yamal and Jamal Musiala will continue their journeys at Euro 2024, with both Spain and Germany making it safely through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Spain and Germany set up for potential quarter-final clash at Euro 2024
If Spain and tournament hosts Germany make it through their Round of 16 clashes, it would set up a blockbuster encounter between the two powerhouses.
This is because both teams finished top of their respective groups and were seeded next to each other in the knockout tree. They will first face teams that finished second or third as per UEFA's seeding arrangement.
Spain and Germany have been two of the best-performing teams at Euro 2024 with both nations currently unbeaten after their opening three games. La Roja have won their opening three games, scoring five goals without reply while Die Mannschaft have two wins and a draw with eight goals to their name.
Germany will be keen to be crowned winners on their home soil, with the hosts hoping to win their first European championship this century. Spain will be keen to win their third European crown in 16 years following their fine start to the tournament.