Barcelona icon weighs in on Lamine Yamal – Lionel Messi comparisons – “Annoying” | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with AS, former Barcelona and Spain forward David Villa praised breakout prodigy Lamine Yamal, claiming that the 17-year-old is already a world-class star while also giving his opinion on the comparisons between the teenager and Lionel Messi.

Lamine enjoyed a spectacular 2024 during which he won the UEFA Euro 2024 with Spain, where he was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament.

Following that, the La Masia sensation won the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy Award among several other individual accolades.

David Villa waxes lyrical on Lamine Yamal

Delivering high praise on the 17-year-old sensation, David Villa stated: “He’s an incredible kid. How he plays, how he understands football… it’s true that I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been with him a couple of times and he looks very calm and focused.

“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.”

Continuing, he added: “He also knows what it means to be a champion.”

On being asked about the comparisons between Lamine and Messi, Villa responded that there was no necessity for it as the teenager is already a world-class player in his own right.

“I think that comparing any player to Messi is annoying nowadays. Lamine Yamal is already a world star. He’s been achieving important things for two years and, as a Cule, I’m excited again,” said Villa.

“And of course the 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.”

On Barcelona, Atletico and the La Liga title race

Villa also shared his thoughts on the La Liga title race, where two of his former clubs, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are going head-to-head along with reigning champions Real Madrid.

Villa wants the title race to go down to the wire between Atleti and Barça. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

While the former forward admitted that it was good to see Atletico and Barça battling it out, he issued a warning to not overlook Real Madrid.

“Good, although keep an eye on Madrid. They are always there. Well, in short, they are the biggest clubs in the country and in the last few years they have shown, why not say it, quite a lot of superiority over the rest,” said Villa.

“Given their signings, it was clear that the three of them were going to be in the fight again and the truth is that it’s nice. That there is competition between more than two teams or with a very prominent leader is fantastic for the football fan.”

Continuing, he added: “Of course, I’m very fond of two of those three teams because of my past with them and the truth is that I’m enjoying it a lot.

“Hopefully the league will go on like this until the end. I would like the league to be decided at the last minute… and it would be between Atletico and Barça.”

Talking about Barcelona in particular and their dip in form towards the end of 2024, Villa remarked:

“They are not doing well at the moment, which is normal, but Barça is Barça. They are a club where it is not enough to be second, everything depends on winning.

“I know the tastes of the Cules and I think they’re happy because their team uses people from La Masia, they play great football and they’re at the top. They are also going to fight for everything because they have world-class players.

“It’s impossible not to think about a competition and Barça not being on the list of teams that can lift the title.”