“This gave him a little more time” - Deco on why Lionel Messi was more ‘fortunate’ at Barcelona compared to Lamine Yamal
Barcelona sporting director Deco believes Lionel Messi had a better environment to flourish at Camp Nou compared to Lamine Yamal. The Spanish youngster exploded into the scenes last season at Camp Nou, igniting comparisons with the legendary Argentinean.
The 17-year-old finished last campaign with seven goals and nine assists from 50 games for the Catalans. Yamal went on to win Euro 2024 with La Roja over the summer, where he was adjudged the Young Player of the Tournament.
The teenager has been indispensable for Barcelona this season as well, registering five goals and as many assists from 11 games across competitions. He is now being hailed as Lionel Messi's heir at Camp Nou.
Speaking to RAC 1 Radio, Deco opened up on Yamal's comparisons with the Argentine superstar.
"Leo was a slightly more explosive player at the time but Lamine is 17 years old and is winning," said Deco.
He continued:
“Leo was fortunate to grow up in an environment of a club that was winning, a generation that was winning, this gave him a little more time. Lamine is part of a renewal, of a generation that is being created. The good thing about Lamine is that he has an unusual maturity for his age and what he is experiencing.”
Like Yamal, Messi rose through the ranks with Barcelona, breaking into the first team as a 17-year-old in 2004. The Argentine went on to register 778 appearances across competitions for the Catalans, scoring 672 goals and setting up 303 more.
How has Lionel Messi fared since leaving Barcelona?
Lionel Messi is arguably Barcelona's greatest ever player. While he would have liked to end his career at Camp Nou, the Argentinean had to leave the Catalans in 2021.
The LaLiga giants failed to renew his contract that summer due to their poor finances. The dimunitive magician went on to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a Bosman move.
In his two seasons at the Parc des Princes, Messi registered 32 goals and 35 assists from 75 games. He won the Ligue 1 title twice and the Trophee des Champions in 2022.
The Argentinean left the Parisians in the summer of 2023 to embark on a new journey with Inter Miami. He has since helped the MLS side win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield this year.
Lionel Messi also enjoyed tremendous international success since parting ways with Barcelona. He won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Finalissima, and his second Copa America title this year with La Albiceleste.