Brazil icon compares Barcelona wonderkid to Neymar: ‘These players make you watch a match’ | OneFootball

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has received yet another major compliment, this time from former Real Madrid player and Brazilian icon Kaka.

The Barcelona winger continues to attract admiration from across the football world, and even figures strongly connected to Barca’s biggest rival are finding it hard to ignore the level he is already showing at such a young age.

As quoted by AS, Kaka spoke about Lamine during an interview with Rio Ferdinand, where he was asked about the Barcelona teenager.

Kaka said, “Lamine is more like Neymar. He is more similar to Neymar’s style at his best. These players make you sit down to watch a match to see what they can create.”

A different kind of Messi debate

The comparison is interesting because so much of the conversation surrounding Lamine has naturally drifted towards Lionel Messi.

Yamal has been compared to Neymar. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Both are La Masia products, both broke through at Barcelona as teenagers, and both have that rare ability to change a match with one action. Both wear the No. 10 jersey as well.

But Kaka’s Neymar comparison feels more precise in some ways. Lamine plays with freedom, flair and unpredictability.

He grew up idolising the Brazilian magician and even pulls out the former’s famous celebrations now and then.

He attracts defenders, gets past them and keeps fans on the edge of their seats whenever he plays, much like Neymar did in his prime.

Barcelona have a true box-office talent

The phrase Kaka used matters, as players who make people sit down to watch are different.

Kaka has nothing but praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona have had many great players, but only a few have carried that magnetism from such an early age.

Messi did all those years ago. Lamine already has it. Whether he is facing one defender, two, or an entire defensive block shifting towards him, the crowd expects him to come out of it.

The challenge for Barca is to allow Lamine to develop without taking his natural game away from him. These comparisons should not be allowed to weigh him down.

Lamine is building his own identity, and he should be allowed to do that without being bracketed into one particular category.

Barca have a special talent, and the best thing about him is that he has got the world to keep talking about him.