Raphinha: Barcelona teammate ‘is more like Neymar than Messi’ | OneFootball

Barcelona star Raphinha has this weekend compared teammate Lamine Yamal to club icon Neymar.

This of course comes amid what has been a stellar opening to the new campaign on Lamine’s part.

Continuing to build on his reputation as world football’s standout young talent, the Spanish international, still just 17, has solidified himself as one of the first names on the team sheet of new boss Hansi Flick.

Afforded starts in all but one of Barcelona’s fixtures across all competitions, Lamine has directly contributed to 13 goals in 14 appearances.

And yet, it is not his production in front of goal, but rather twinkling feet and close control, which have this weekend earned the youngster a comparison with a one-time Blaugrana fan favourite.

Speaking during an interview with El Pais on Saturday, Raphinha was asked if he sees Lamine as following in the footsteps of the great Lionel Messi.

The Brazilian, though, instead drew comparisons between his attacking partner-in-crime, and fellow countryman Neymar Jr:

“Is Lamine following Messi’s footsteps? I see him more like Neymar. His dribbles, how quickly he thinks of dribbles… When you think you can steal the ball from him, he does something you’ve never seen in your life.”

Conor Laird – GSFN