Messi comparisons put ´maximum´ pressure on Yamal, says Puyol

Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol believes the comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal put “maximum” pressure on the youngster.

Yamal has had a stellar 2024, proving a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 winning team as he registered four assists in their seven games at the tournament and became the youngest-ever player to feature in a major tournament final at 17 years and one day old.

He was named Young Player of the Tournament, won Goal of the Tournament and was included in the Team of the Tournament, while he has since scooped the 2024 Golden Boy award.

In LaLiga, he has provided nine assists in 2024-25 (15 games), three more than any other player (team-mate Raphinha has six). That is already four more than he made in the entirety of last season in the competition (five in 37 appearances).

He also scooped the 2024 Golden Boy Award for his memorable year.

His style of play has regularly been likened to Messi’s, with the Argentine also saying earlier this week that he saw the resemblance between himself and Yamal.

Puyol, however, was less willing to highlight the similarities, highlighting how it would not help the 17-year-old.

“If we put the label of Leo on him, the pressure is already maximum,” he told El Pais, as quoted in Sport.

Buddy Lamine. pic.twitter.com/xI4I8WcQwO

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 13, 2024

“What Leo has done and continues to do is incredible, and it will be very difficult to see a player like that again.”

Hansi Flick’s side lost just one of his first 12 league matches in charge (W11), and though they have since won just one of the following five (D2 L2), they remain in a strong position.

Barcelona currently sit joint-top of LaLiga, level on 38 points with Atletico Madrid, ahead of their meeting with Leganes on Sunday, and Puyol has been impressed with the German’s start.

“It is clear that Flick is a great coach and that there are very good players,” he added.

“There is always the uncertainty of, above all, how they are going to start, and they are doing very well.”