Barcelona scout Andrea Mancini has boldly predicted that Lamine Yamal will go on to become “stronger than everyone, even Lionel Messi”.

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• Records smashed by teenage forward
• Likened to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner
• Barca proud of La Masia production line

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  La Masia graduate Yamal has been unable to escape comparisons to Argentine superstar Messi since bursting onto the senior scene at 15 years of age. Records have tumbled around the teenage wonderkid as he has become a Golden Boy and Euro 2024 winner.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There is the promise of even more to come from Yamal, who is still only 17, and he could go on to eclipse the efforts of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. Everyone in Barcelona is hoping that proves to be the case, with another hidden gem being unearthed in their academy system.

• WHAT BARCELONA SCOUT SAID

  Mancini – the son of former Italy international Roberto – is among those charged with the task of finding more legends of the future. He has told of that process, with Yamal leading the way in 2025: “I am looking for new Lamine Yamals. The club’s challenge is to get at least four or five children from La Masia into the first team every year. And the challenge is met every year. Look at Yamal, it’s easy to say, but he’s been here for three years now. He will become stronger than everyone, even Messi.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Asked to pick out the hottest prospects on Barca’s books at present, Mancini added: “Among the boys who are now making their way into the first team, if I had to name one I would say Toni Fernandez. He is 16 years old, he has already made his debut and he has everything to be a champion.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News