Lamine Yamal receives Barcelona warning from club legend

Barcelona legend Ivan Rakitic has told Lamine Yamal to “follow his own path” amid widespread comparisons with Lionel Messi.

The Spain international has enjoyed a splendid start to senior football and he finished runner-up to Ousmane Dembele in the 2025 Ballon d’Or ranking following a sensational season under Hansi Flick.

Yamal has registered 71 goal contributions in 117 first-team games for Barcelona and he is already the star attacker for both club and country.

Rakitic, who made 310 appearances and won 13 trophies across a six-year stint at Camp Nou, has heaped praise on Yamal during a recent interview with Flashscore, although he has warned the 18-year-old to avoid following in the footsteps of famous attacking trio Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

“I would say that Lamine is an incredible player, which is why I’m proud of him as he progresses and develops,” Rakitic admitted.

“It’s all going in the right direction, and he has become aware that football has its downsides, such as injuries and the pressure he faces. I think he has to follow his own path; I wouldn’t compare him to the three I mentioned [Messi, Suarez and Neymar].

“Barcelona and Spain have something special in him, and we all need to help him learn to handle the pressure. He is a truly special player.”

Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or?

Yamal has scored six goals and provided six assists in 11 matches in La Liga and the Champions League so far this season, and he is currently the bookies’ favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland are likely to challenge the Barcelona starlet for the biggest individual award in football, but he remains a top contender for victory.

If he is successful next year, he would usurp Michael Owen as the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner.

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