Why Messi comparison is bad for Yamal — Former Barcelona star explains

Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has warned that the comparisons with Lionel Messi are not good for Lamine Yamal, as it was unlikely any footballer can reach the Argentine’s level. 

The 18-year-old winger has a number of similarities with Lionel Messi, including dominant foot, dribbling, playmaking ability and La Masia education. 

This has unavoidably led to comparisons between both players, with many suggesting that Yamal was the second coming of the diminutive Inter Miami star. 

Yamal has regularly played down the comparison, stating that he was plying his own path, and that he did not want to be like Lionel Messi. 

Speaking in a recent interview, the Valencia football legend explained why comparing Yamal to Messi was a bad idea. 

“Comparisons to Lionel Messi are not helping Lamine Yamal. It doesn't help anyone. It doesn't help mainly and mostly the player. You know, 'the number 10, there's the new Messi. He does things that Messi used to do at his age.'

"When I hear these conversations, it's about, 'name me how many Messis are in football history.' How many players like Messi have you seen in football history? I can maybe count three. Okay, and then how often have you seen these players? Huge gaps in between, I don't know, 20, 30, 40 years, 50 years. It's very rare that you see players like Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Messi and Ronaldo, I think it's quite unique that you see two players like that playing at the same time and era. So one is very difficult. 

“And second, to put that pressure on a player of 18 years old that is going to play in the next 20 years at that level, I wish and I hope he will do it, but I think it's so difficult. It's very difficult. Not only the level of football, but also injuries and so many things. 

“He’s 18, he's still growing. He's still developing muscle and bones. So there are so many factors there that we have to be careful about these comparisons. It’s unnecessary pressure on a player. 

“Look, let's enjoy it. He is an amazing talent, let's enjoy what is there game by game. Let’s hope he will make it to 40 and be the next Messi. But there's no pressure. We've seen many others including Ansu Fati and Munir El Haddadi being called the next Messi and so many in Argentina, but it’s not that simple.”