Lionel Messi believes Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is already 'one of the best players in the world', and that the 17-year-old will continue to improve.

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• Messi says Yamal "has incredible qualities"
• Argentinian backs youngster to grow
• Winger will "add things to his game"

• AFP
  

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Barcelona legend was speaking about his heir apparent in an interview with . The GOAT was effusive in his praise for Yamal, and backed the youngster to continue adding to his game, just like he did.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi applauded Yamal for the amazing things he's already achieved at such a young age, in particular the European Championship he won with Spain last summer. Just 16-years-old for the majority of that tournament, Yamal set records for the youngest player to play and score in a Euros, and scooped the Golden Boy award for his consistency over the tournament as a whole.

• WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

  Messi said: "It’s impressive what Lamine Yamal shows… he's already been a Euro champion with Spain.

  "He’s still only 17, he's in a growth process, and he'll continue to grow as a player and add things to his game, just like I did. He has incredible qualities and he’s already one of the best players in the world."

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• AP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LAMINE YAMAL?

  Barca hold a four point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga, face off against Los Blancos in the final of the Copa Del Rey later this month and have a Champions League semi-final against Inter to prepare for. Winning a treble and an international trophy before his 18th birthday would give Yamal one of the greatest starts to a career we've ever seen.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News