Is Lamine Yamal the next Lionel Messi? Pep Guardiola drops HOT TAKE

Pep Guardiola has broken his silence on the comparisons between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.

The former Barcelona head coach was the man in charge as Messi began a decade-long dominance with Cristiano Ronaldo at the summit of the game and knows the quality of the Argentine better than anyone.

Lamine, meanwhile, has exploded onto the scene this season, emerging as a leading contender to win the Ballon d’Or after a campaign in which he scored 18 goals and created 28 more.

Guardiola was unwilling to say that Yamal can become as strong as Messi one day, but he did indicate that the young Spain international finds himself in the ideal location.

Asked by Marca how he sees the 17-year-old’s game developing, Pep said: “I have no idea whether he’ll play centrally or not; he’s very unbalancing on the wing.

“Let’s allow him to develop his career and then we’ll see if he can be compared to the greatest.

“He’s in the best place in the world to develop, with the nuances of Flick, who has shown he’s very brilliant.

“Everything points to the fact that, if he doesn’t get injured, he’ll have a very good career given his wealth of talent.”

Guardiola on Lamine Yamal’s new contract

Lamine has signed a new contract with Barcelona when he turns 18. He will earn around €8 million per season in what is a ceiling in the club’s new wage structure.

Guardiola does not see it being a problem that the teenager will become Barca’s third-highest earner.

“If he’s getting paid that much, it’s because he deserves it. He’s surrounded by the right people. He’s developing. That didn’t affect Messi at all. If the clubs pay, it’s because the players deserve it. I’m happy he can continue at Barcelona,” Guardiola said.

“He’s very good. In the game against Inter, everyone was passing the ball to him. It’s amazing what he’s doing at 17. As Hansi said, I hope he keeps working. It’s clear this is the best place he can be. As a Barca member, I’m happy.”