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Villa appears to be quite impressed by how Yamal has been performing at the age of just 17 for Barcelona and Spain, but found comparisons to Messi unnecessary.
Lamine Yamal. (AP Photo)
Spanish footballing legend David Villa can’t agree with people comparing Lamine Yamal with Lionel Messi. Coming through Barcelona’s La Masia Academy, Yamal has been tipped as the next big thing in European football. The Spanish youngster has already shown promise of achieving that stature. Yamal rose to fame during the 2024 EURO. He registered one goal and three assists in the continental tournament which Spain won by defeating England in the final. Villa appears to be quite impressed by how Yamal has been performing at the age of just 17.
The former Barcelona striker spoke highly of Yamal during a recent interaction with AS. “He’s an incredible kid. How he plays, how he understands football, indeed, I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been with him a couple of times and he looks very calm and focused. He also knows what it means to be a champion,” Villa told the Spanish outlet.
“This is not the explosion of a footballer who is going to last a few months. He’s been there for a while now where, you could say, he could have made a mistake and the opposite is true. He is very good and every time you see him play, he plays better,” he added.
When asked about the comparisons between Yamal and Messi, Villa called it “unnecessary” as the Spanish teenager is already established as a world-class in his own merit. The 43-year-old further admitted he was proud of how Yamal had fared as a Barcelona player.
“I think that comparing any player to Messi is annoying nowadays. Lamine is already a world star. He’s been achieving important things for two years and, as a Culer, I’m excited again. Of course, fans have the right to be excited about him, but I don’t think it’s necessary to compare him with Messi because he’s going to have a very good career,” Villa explained.
Despite recovering from an injury, Yamal has been included in the Barcelona squad travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. The winger sustained a “grade 1 injury to the anterior tibiofibular ligament in the ankle” during a La Liga game against Leganés on December 15 last year.
Yamal, sidelined for three or four weeks, is likely to become fully fit ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club, scheduled for January 9.
