This is a statement that immediately increased speculation. Asked about Lamine Yamal, Pep Guardiola did not kick in touch. Better still, his answer was perceived by some as a form of call, a wink supported by one of the biggest promises of Spanish football. In one sentence, Manchester City coach rekindled the idea of an always strong link with the Masia … and possibly more.
But those who hoped for a tense bridge towards Etihad quickly encountered reality. The request made by Guardiola was nothing like a transfer. On the contrary. Through an interview with GQ magazine, the Catalan launched a plea for the preservation of the young Barça winger.
“We have to leave him alone“, He hammered. More than the rumors of transfer window, it is the media pressure and the hasty comparisons that worry the former coach Blaugrana.
“Compare Yamal to Messi is a mistake”
The target of his message is clear: those who, as of today, want to register Yamal in the footsteps of Lionel Messi. “It's serious”he said. “It's like comparing a painter in Van Gogh.” In other words, praise can become a burden. Guardiola knows better that no one expectations can crush a talent, as exceptional as it is.
Guardiola refuses comparisons between Yamal and Messi
It is not the first time that he has expressed himself in this sense. But this outing is all the stronger since it comes at a time when Yamal continues high level performance with Spain and Barça. And that comparisons with Messi, often exaggerated, are already invading networks.
Lamine Yamal, a fragile diamond
By asking that we “Let you move forward”, Guardiola asks an essential question: what good to rush judgments? At 17, the Barcelona winger already has everything to shine. But careers are not built on YouTube clips or nicknames. It will take time, patience, and less noise around him to write his own story.
