Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol believes the comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are putting “maximum” pressure on the youngster.
Yamal has had a fantastic 2024 and has proven to be a key figure in Spain's Euro 2024-winning team. He registered four assists in the seven matches at the tournament and became the youngest player ever to play in a major tournament final at 17 years and one day old. .
He was named Young Player of the Tournament, won Goal of the Tournament and was named in the Team of the Tournament, while he has since scooped the 2024 Golden Boy award.
In LaLiga, he provided nine assists in 2024/25 (15 games), three more than any other player (teammate Raphinha has six). That is already four more than he made in the entire league last season (five in 37 appearances).
He also won the 2024 Golden Boy Award for his memorable year.
His playing style is regularly compared to that of Messi, with the Argentine also saying earlier this week that he saw the similarity between himself and Yamal.
However, Puyol was less willing to highlight the similarities, highlighting how this would not help the 17-year-old.
“If we put Leo's label on him, the pressure is already maximum,” he told El Pais, quoted in Sport.
Friend Lamine. pic.twitter.com/xI4I8WcQwO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 13, 2024
“What Leo has done and continues to do is incredible. It will be very difficult to see such a player again.”
Hansi Flick's side have lost just one of their first 12 league matches in charge (W11), and although they have won just one of the next five (D2 L2) since then, they remain in a strong position.
Barcelona are currently joint top of LaLiga, level on 38 points with Atletico Madrid ahead of their meeting with Leganes on Sunday, and Puyol has been impressed with the German's start.
“Obviously Flick is a great coach and there are very good players,” he added.
“There's always the uncertainty about, especially, how they're going to start, and they're doing very well.”
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