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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barcelona beat Girona 4-1</li><li>Teenager Yamal bags brace</li><li>Told he can reach Messi levels</li></ul>

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi's level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona's 'difference-maker' following heavy La Liga defeat

LaLiga

Girona

Espanyol

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

<p>Yamal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-player-ratings-vs-girona-lamine-yamal-next-lionel-messi-hansi-flick-la-liga-title-race/bltf3e37d68b5d3f227" target="_blank">bagged a brace in Barca's 4-1 win at Girona</a> on Sunday to maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Following that virtuoso performance, Girona boss Michel has said the 17-year-old can reach the great Messi's level one day. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He told reporters: "Lamine is a difference-maker. For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age. It is difficult to imagine that after Messi another [like him] would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he's a player than can reach that level."</p>

WHAT MICHEL SAID

<p>As Michel says, the teenager may be one of the best players in the world already - just as Messi was becoming when he made his breakthrough at Barcelona all those years ago. Yamal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sexy-football-back-england-inspiration-spain-euro-2024-preparing-2026-world-cup/bltea9e19a341775f12" target="_blank">starred in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph</a> and is delivering for the Blaugrana week after week at the very highest level despite only turning 17 in July.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Yamal will get another chance to shine for Barcelona, this time on Thursday away to Monaco as they kickstart their 2024-25 Champions League campaign. His team then return to La Liga action away at Villarreal next Sunday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi's level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona's 'difference-maker' following heavy La Liga defeat | Goal.com

Barcelona&apos;s Lamine Yamal has been branded a &quot;difference-maker&quot; and likened to Lionel Messi after his stunning goalscoring display against Girona.

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi&apos;s level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona&apos;s &apos;difference-maker&apos; following heavy La Liga defeat