“The pressure is already maximum” - Barcelona legend Carles Puyol weighs in on Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal comparisons
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol believes it is unfair to compare Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi. Like the Argentine icon, Yamal also rose through the ranks at Camp Nou and broke into the first team last year.
The Spaniard was outstanding for the Catalans last season, registering seven goals and nine assists from 50 games across competitions. The 17-year-old's style of play has inevitably drawn comparisons to La Pulga, who is Barcelona's greatest-ever player.
However, speaking to El Pais (as cited by SPORT), Puyol insisted that comparisons with Lionel Messi will only add to the pressure on Lamine Yamal.
"If we put the label of Leo on him, the pressure is already maximum. What Leo has done and continues to do is incredible, and it will be very difficult to see a player like that again," Puyol said.
The Spanish forward has been outstanding for the Catalans this season as well, registering six goals and 12 assists from 20 games in all competitions. He has forged a new-look attacking trident for the LaLiga giants alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
There have been comparisons with the fabled trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar. Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal have been brilliant together, but they have a long way to go to match the 'MSN' trio's achievements with Barcelona.
At what age did Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal earn their Barcelona debuts?
Lionel Messi broke into Barcelona's first-team squad in the 2004-05 season. He earned his debut for the senior side on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol in LaLiga, at the age of 17 years, three months, and 22 days.
The Argentine star became the youngest player to represent the Catalans in an official competition that year. La Pulga would go on to become a club legend, winning 35 trophies at Camp Nou. When he left in 2021 to move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had registered 672 goals and 303 assists from 778 games for the LaLiga giants.
Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, became the youngest-ever player to represent Barcelona in April 2023 when he came off the bench against Real Betis. The Spaniard was 15 years, nine months, and 16 days old.
The teenager has since enjoyed a spectacular rise with the LaLiga giants and lifted Euro 2024 with Spain this summer. Lamine Yamal also won the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy Award this year.