Guardiola frustrated by Yamal, Messi comparisons

Pep Guardiola has called for calm from those who have compared Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi.

Yamal, who turned 18 earlier in July, has hit the ground running for Barcelona, scoring 25 goals and registering 28 assists in 106 appearances.

Having played a crucial role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, Yamal helped Barca win a domestic treble last season and has now inherited the famous number 10 shirt, worn by Messi during his time with the Blaugrana.

Guardiola, though, has urged fans to let Yamal grow in his career before pressuring him with comparisons to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“Let him develop his career,” said Guardiola. "And the fact that he's being compared to Messi is a big deal.

“Like if you compare a painter to Van Gogh, they'll say, 'Wow, he's not bad, it's a sign he's good'. And that comparison is a sign he's good. But we have to let him develop his career. And we'll see.

“Messi has been a big deal, 90 goals in one season, for 15 years, non-stop, without injury. That's a big deal. Let him go. Let him go.”

Messi plundered 91 goals in 2012, surpassing Gerd Muller’s record for most goals in a calendar year (85 in 1972).

Guardiola left Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 season, with Messi scoring 50 LaLiga goals in his last campaign with the club.