Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is doing “important things” but Fabio Capello says he “doesn’t have the genius of Lionel Messi”.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Inevitable comparisons have been drawn between La Masia academy graduates past and present. Messi emerged from that legendary youth system in Catalonia to become an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and arguably the greatest player of all time.
THE BIG PICTURE
Yamal, still just 17, will be hoping to follow a similar path. He has already broken records as a European Championship winner with Spain and holder of the prestigious Kopa and Golden Boy trophies. There is promise of much more to come from him.
WHAT FABIO CAPELLO SAID
Many have been quick to praise Yamal’s claims to be Messi’s worthy heir at Barcelona, but former Real Madrid coach Capello is not convinced the youngster will ever reach those heights. The Italian said at the Laureus Awards ceremony when asked about Yamal: “He’s a kid who is doing important things. When he started at Barcelona, they said he was the new Messi. He’s not reaching that level. He’s an extraordinary, spectacular, top-level player, but he doesn’t have Messi’s genius.”
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