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Lamine Yamal shared his opinion about Lionel Messi winning the 2024 Copa America with Argentina as Spain prepares for Euro 2024 final. La Albiceleste are pitted against Colombia in the final on July 14, while La Roja will face England on the same day.
The 17-year-old midfielder expressed his wish to play against the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in the 2025 Finalissima on the occasion where they win their respective tournaments. Yamal said (via Barça Universal):
"I hope Messi wins the Copa América and I win the Euros, so I can play against him in the Finalissima."
Earlier, Yamal hailed the Barcelona legend to be the best in his opinion and said (via beIN SPORTS):
"Obviously, Messi is the best player in history, in my opinion, and being compared to him is something incredible. I hope to have half of his career."
The 2022 Finalissima included 2021 Copa América winners Argentina and UEFA Euro 2020 winners Italy where 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, with the last one being in 2021.
Andres Iniesta on Lamine Yamal being compared to Lionel Messi
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta praised Lamine Yamal while addressing the 17-year-old Spaniard being compared with Lionel Messi. Yamal, who made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2023, has been doing wonders on the pitch since his arrival.
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."
Iniesta also hopes Yamal would contribute to Spain winning their upcoming Euro 2024 final and said:
"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.
