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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":{"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>Youngster has been shattering records</li><li>Already compared to all-time great</li><li>Still has plenty of potential to unlock</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lamine Yamal set ‘same importance’ as Lionel Messi challenge by former Barcelona boss – with teenage wonderkid following in illustrious footsteps

<p>At just 17 years of age, Blaugrana wonderkid Yamal is making impressive early progress down that path. He is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-greatest-teenage-footballer-world-ever-seen/bltd659e03a46dcf8ed" target="_blank">already a European Championship winner with Spain, breaking a number of records along the way</a>, and has added Kopa Trophy and Golden Boys triumphs to his impressive roll of honour.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Comparisons to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-explains-why-lamine-yamal-comparisons-argentine-goat-barcelona-wonderkid/blt4880f886d29e8db6" target="_blank">eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi were always going to be made</a> as both stepped out of the famed La Masia academy system. Yamal is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-explains-why-ignore-lionel-messi-comparisons/blt6610d860cf726526" target="_blank">also left-footed, which has only added to the pressure</a> being lumped onto his young shoulders.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>He has shown no sign of buckling, with remarkable standards being set despite his relative lack of experience. Many are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-reacts-impossible-lionel-messi-challenge-barcelona-wonderkid-120m-transfer-admission-bid-legend/blt990a89dcc3584b73" target="_blank">tipping Yamal to follow in Messi’s footsteps</a> by claiming his own Golden Ball and title of best player on the planet at some point in the not too distant future.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Barca legend Koeman, who is preparing to face Spain in Nations League competition as manager of Netherlands, hopes that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-cant-be-compared-lionel-messi-another-13-years/blt8ffbaeff9724aafa" target="_blank">full potential can be unlocked in the hottest of prospects</a>. He has said of Yamal: “For a coach, it is very lucky to have that type of player. Because of his quality he can decide matches. I had the opportunity to work with Messi, which was something very big. Hopefully Lamine Yamal will have the same importance that Messi had for this club.”</p>

WHAT RONALD KOEMAN SAID

<p>Yamal is fast closing in on 100 appearances for Barca, having made his debut at 15 years of age, and is hoping to finish the 2024-25 campaign with more honours to his name – with La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League and Nations League <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lamine-yamal-barcelona-favourites-champions-league-spain-wonderkid-first-european-trophy/blt9de3b83362a1ca08" target="_blank">titles still up for grabs</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LAMINE YAMAL?

Lamine Yamal set ‘same importance’ as Lionel Messi challenge by former Barcelona boss – with teenage wonderkid following in illustrious footsteps | Goal.com

Lamine Yamal has been challenged, by ex-Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, to prove that he can achieve “the same importance as Lionel Messi”.