"Comparisons are unfair": Barcelona legend reveals the only advantage Yamal has over Messi | OneFootball

Barcelona director explains why comparisons are unfair

"Comparisons are unfair": Barcelona legend reveals the only advantage Yamal has over Messi

Barcelona sporting director Anderson Souza “Deco” has addressed the increasingly frequent comparisons between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi stressing that the two player emerged in entirely different footballing environments.

During his speech, he admitted that Yamal surpasses Messi in only one aspect, namely “the level of pressure he faced in his youth.”

Speaking to Cadena SER, Deco defended the 18 year old prodigy while firmly dismissing rumours of Messi return in January.

Deco explains the Yamal & Messi contrast

Deco emphasised that Messi’s rise came during golden era of stability at Barcelona, something Yamal never had.

Lamine Yamal by contrast, debuted at 15 year & 9 month during one of the most chaotic periods in Barca’s modern history:

Deco made it clear: “Yamal’s only advantage over Messi at the same age is the magnitude of pressure he faced and survived.“

Yamal has quickly become the club’s most decisive player. Since his debut:

His leadership comes at stage of Barca’s cycle when the squad is incomplete and the demands are far heavier than those Messi faced in 2004 - 2006.

Deco shuts the door on Messi return talk

Reports suggesting Messi could return on loan from Inter Miami were dismissed instantly:

He added that Messi remains the greatest player in the club’s history alongside Johan Cruyff & Ronaldinho and that it is “normal” for fans to chant his name every tenth minute at Camp Nou.

A March showdown: Messi vs Yamal

Regardless of the debate, the two generation are set to meet soon.

Argentina vs Spain — Finalissima 2026

It will be the first high profile duel between Messi, football’s most decorated legend and Yamal, the teenager many consider Barcelona’s next long term franchise star.