Lamine Yamal: Cesc Fàbregas names Barcelona’s “unique” star among the best in the world, endorses Lionel Messi comparisons

Cesc Fàbregas believes Lamine Yamal is currently among the most talented players in the world and has even backed claims comparing the teenager to the legendary Lionel Messi.

Yamal, 17, enjoyed an exciting breakthrough in the 2023/24 season, where he contributed 16 goals in 50 games in all competitions for Barcelona.

With an impressive debut season under his belt, Yamal announced himself on the international stage at UEFA Euro 2024 as he helped Spain to success with a stunning goal in the semi-final against France and an assist in the final.

This season, he has already added 10 goals and assists in 11 games with his club.

Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas feels the “impact he is having” makes Yamal the most talented player in the world at the moment.

“I think he’s a unique talent. He’s someone you just have to let him go out and play football.

“He’s always going to make the difference when he’s under pressure. When he’s not under pressure, he always finds the right solution, whether it’s a one-on-one or a one-two, or the last ball, or keeping the game going, whatever the game calls for at that time.

“He’s able to read (the game) and he’s able to understand what he needs.

“I think this is already a sign of a great player, a very mature player. And what I like most is that he feels like he is playing on the street. It seems that everything becomes so easy for him. He is free in the street. mind.”

Fàbregas even weighed in on the bold comparisons made between Yamal and a teenage Messi, who broke into the Barça first team at a similar age in 2004.

The Argentine has become arguably the greatest player of all time and has scored 844 goals so far in an iconic career.

Messi has won a number of league titles, UEFA Champions League medals and international honours, including the long-awaited 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph.

Fàbregas believes Yamal has the potential to reach the same heights as Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I don’t like it because I think every player is different and we all have our own story, and now Lamine has to follow his own path and create his own path,” he said.

“But there are certainly signs that always bring you back to what Leo was.

“I think it’s completely normal, especially the Barcelona fans who have come from some difficult years where there have been some difficulties.

“So I think the excitement that Lamine brings to the table today is really important. It’s like Leo, you know, in tough times, he stepped up to the team.

“And I think that with Lamine there is potential to do very, very well for many years in Barcelona.”