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Legendary midfielder Andres Iniesta has heaped praise on Lamine Yamal while addressing the 17-year-old Spaniard being compared with Lionel Messi. Both Iniesta and Messi are La Masia graduates and played together at Barcelona for 14 years.
Lamine Yamal, who made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2023, has been doing wonders on the pitch since his arrival.
The young midfielder became the youngest player and goalscorer for Spain at the age of 16 years and 57 days old, breaking the records earlier held by Gavi, who debuted aged 17 years, 62 days, and scored aged 17 years, 304 days.
Andres Iniesta opened up about the ongoing comparison between Lionel Messi and Yamal and said (via @sportstarweb on X):
"For me, Leo is the best player in the world and at the moment Lamine Yamal is just starting his career."
Speaking about the 17-year-old midfielder's talent, Iniesta added
"Obviously, I think the talent he is showing us and what we have seen this year from him is spectacular. For a 16-year-old, it's not normal because until now we'd not seen anything like it."
Spain are set to face England in the final of Euro 2024 on July 14, at Olympiastadion Berlin. The Barcelona icon hoped for Yamal to contribute, saying:
"I hope he can continue in the same vein and, above all, at this moment in time, he can help Spain to win this European Championship."
Lamine Yamal broke a bunch of records at Euro 2024, starting with his debut which made him the youngest player to appear in the European Championship, followed by being the youngest assist provider and goal scorer in the tournament's history. He is also the youngest finalist in the tournament's history.
Lamine Yamal on Lionel Messi ahead on Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 finals
Lamine Yamal expressed his wish to play against Lionel Messi ahead of Spain's Euro 2024 final clash. As Argentina have also qualified for the Copa America 2024 final against Colombia on July 14, the 16-year-old Spaniard wants La Roja to play against La Albiceleste in the 2025 Finalissima.
Yamal said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):
"I hope Messi wins the Copa América and I win the Euros, so I can play against him in the Finalissima."
The 2022 Finalissima involved 2021 Copa América winners Argentina and UEFA Euro 2020 (held in 2021) winners Italy. Lionel Messi's side bagged a 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium.
Spain have won the UEFA European Championship thrice with the last one being in 2012 while Argentina have the South American Championship 15 times.
