Michel says Lamine Yamal can reach Lionel Messi’s level after Barcelona beat Girona

Girona boss Michel tipped Lamine Yamal to go on and become as good as Lionel Messi after seeing the teenager score twice for Barcelona in Sunday’s 4-1 win.

Yamal put Barcelona 2-0 up in the game to continue the brilliant form he’s shown for club and country since breaking into the team.

Speaking after Barcelona’s win, Michel piled praise on Yamal and gave him the ultimate compliment by comparing him to the GOAT.

“Lamine is a difference-maker,” he told reporters. “For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age.

“It is difficult to imagine that after Messi another [like him] would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he’s a player than can reach that level.”

Yamal has had to cope with comparisons with Messi throughout his time at Barcelona and has always wisely played down such talk, saying recently it would be “impossible” to match the GOAT.