Szczesny Refutes Lionel Messi Comparisons for Barcelona’s Rising Star Lamine Yamal
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has weighed in on the burgeoning comparisons between club legend Lionel Messi and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. In a recent interview, Szczesny downplayed the parallels being drawn between the Argentinian icon and the young Spaniard, who has rapidly become a fan favorite at Camp Nou. Yamal’s exceptional talent has ignited excitement, leading many to see him as the natural successor to Messi’s legacy at Barcelona.
Despite the hype surrounding Yamal, Szczesny offered a more grounded perspective on the comparisons. He emphasized the distinct playing styles of both individuals, suggesting it’s premature to place the weight of Messi’s achievements on the young shoulders of Yamal.
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal’s trophy cabinet is already impressive. His accolades include:
- Young Player of the Tournament at the Euros
- Golden Boy nominee
- Kopa Trophy contender
- Top 10 finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings
This season, the young winger has achieved double-digit figures in both goals and assists, further fueling the ‘new Messi’ narrative.
However, Szczesny offered a contrasting viewpoint. According to barcauniversal.com, the goalkeeper stated that while Yamal is a unique talent, direct comparisons to Messi miss the mark. He articulated, “Do I see similarities between Messi and Lamine Yamal? No, they are completely different players, and there’s no reason to compare them. I don’t see Lamine scoring 50 goals a season like Messi, but he’s incredibly dangerous in one-on-one situations. His best trait is his understanding of the game and delivering key passes at the perfect time.”
Lamine Yamal’s contributions this season for La Blaugrana are significant, boasting 12 goals and 17 assists across 37 appearances in all competitions. His performances have bolstered Barcelona’s quest for silverware across multiple fronts.
Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, Yamal’s potential is being maximized. Notably, his consistency at such a young age is arguably surpassing Messi’s trajectory during his formative years at Barcelona. Currently wearing Messi’s former number 19 jersey, there’s speculation that Yamal could inherit the coveted number 10 shirt in the future, contingent on his continued development and displays.
Barcelona Determined to Avoid Messi Contract Errors with Lamine Yamal Extension
Barcelona is reportedly taking proactive steps to secure Lamine Yamal’s long-term future, aiming to avoid repeating past missteps experienced during contract negotiations with Lionel Messi. The club hierarchy is keen to extend the contract of their prized 17-year-old prodigy and ensure he remains a cornerstone of the team for years to come.
The memory of Lionel Messi’s departure in 2021 remains a stark reminder for Barcelona. Despite reaching an initial agreement with Messi, the club’s crippling financial situation at the time prevented them from offering a formal contract. This ultimately led to Messi, arguably their greatest ever player, leaving as a free agent to join Paris Saint-Germain.
While Yamal is currently contracted until 2026, Barcelona are eager to solidify a more extended deal. Reports from AS suggest that a clause exists to automatically extend his contract to 2030. However, both the club and Yamal’s representatives are motivated to finalize a new agreement that reflects his growing stature and importance to the team.
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