Lamine Yamal can replicate Lionel Messi's performance and “write history” with Barcelona after signing a new contract, believes sports director Deco.
Last week Yamal Pen put on paper on a new deal to keep him in Catalonia until 2031, after he had discussed the last 12 months of his previous contract.
Yamal registered 18 goals and 21 assists in all competitions last season when the side of Hansi Flick Laliga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa won the Espana, although they lost 7-6 to the final second place in the Champions League semi-final.
It is remarkable that Yamal led the hit lists in Laliga for Assists (13), shots from outside the area (67), created great opportunities (28), shots after a Carry (56), opportunities created after a Carry (35), through balls (33) and Dribbels (161) in 2024) in 2024-25.
Reports in Spain have suggested that the 17-year-old will be the best-paid player of Barca if he meets certain performance-related clauses in his new deal, and Deco believes he deserves that honor.
And while he stopped comparing Yamal with eight times Ballon d'Or winner Messi, Deco does believe that the winger will write his name in the club's history books.
“Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club, for me, the best player in history,” Deco said in an interview with BBC Sport.
“Everyone goes crazy when they see Lamine playing football, you would pay to look at him in the stadium, he is special and he wanted to stay because he believes in the project.
“He deserves an improved salary. He becomes one of the best players in the world. We have to respect him as a player, but do not forget that he is 17 years old.
“It is not easy to compare, but Lamine, in terms of quality, can make history like Leo. But of course, to write history, he must have a good team behind him.”
Deco also revealed last week that discussions were underway about a new contract for midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with Eric Garcia reportedly also in line for a new deal.
Barca is linked to movements for Manchester United Vooruit Marcus Rashford and Liverpool Wideman Luis Diaz, and although Deco admired both players, he said that the first focus of the club is to retain their title -winning core.
The former midfielder of Portugal continued: “We focused on renewing contracts, then we will discuss players to come.
“Of course, these two players, as you said, they are good, but have contracts in their clubs, so we will not speak because it is not fair.
“But if you decide to go to the market, we will certainly find some names. In my opinion we don't have to bring many players.
“If I talk to the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. So this is important. The image of the club is still good.
“We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we play football, players want to come.”