'Yamal can be the next Messi or Ronaldinho' says Barcelona legend

Cameron Smith

13 Oct 2023 16:53 CDT
3 min read

Barcelona legend Rafa Marquez believes that Lamine Yamal has the potential to be the best player of his generation and thinks the young Spaniard can replicate the achievements of former Blaugrana stars Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

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Yamal is still only 16 years old, but he has established himself as a first-team regular under Xavi this season and he has also made his senior Spain debut this term.

In fact, the Barcelona wonderkid is his nation’s youngest ever appearance-maker and goal-scorer following his exploits during the September international break.

Yamal has made 11 appearances for Barcelona so far this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists during that time.

His strike against Granada last weekend placed his name in the history books as Yamal became the youngest goal-scorer in La Liga history, breaking the record previously set by Malaga's Fabrice Olinga back in 2012.

What has been said?

It is not the first time a La Masia graduate has made an instant impact on the senior side, think Gavi most recently and Lionel Messi more famously, and Marquez thinks Yamal has the talent to make a difference at the highest-level, similar to Messi.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he said: “He belongs to that group of gifted players who have this innate talent and no matter what age they are, they can compete at any level and make a difference. Ronaldinho, Messi… Lamine can be the next one.

“He has all the qualities. Obviously, you have to take care of it all because he’s still a kid.”

Marquez became the first Mexican player to win the Champions League during his playing career with the Blaugrana, and he has the highest number of Barcelona appearances of any non-European player in history.

Furthermore, Marquez is not the only person to compare Yamal to Messi recently. Speaking at a press conference ahead of October’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was asked about Yamal.

“He has fantastic potential and talent,” he said. “We have to take care of him, he is young.

“But, do you remember when Messi or Maradona were 16 years old? We should not put limits on these good footballers. We must let them develop all their potential. That's what we're trying to do with this player here and at his club.”