Fabio Capello claims that although Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is making “important things,” the teenage sensation “doesn’t have Lionel Messi’s genius.”
There have unavoidably been comparisons made between current and former La Masia academy graduates. Messi emerged from Catalunya’s legendary development system to become an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and possibly the best player of history.
Yamal, at just 17 years of age, is hoping to head down a similar path. He has already sent records tumbling as a European Championship winner with Spain and holder of the prestigious Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards. There is the promise of plenty more to come from him.
Many have been quick to talk up Yamal’s claims to being Messi’s rightful heir at Barcelona, but former Real Madrid boss Capello is not convinced that the youngster will ever hit 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, it was said that he was the new Messi. He doesn’t reach that level. He’s an extraordinary, spectacular, top player, but he doesn’t have Messi’s genius.”
