Joan Laporta has just released a bomb that will shake the world of football. The president of FC Barcelona dared to establish a comparison which is likely to divide the Catalan supporters and beyond. In an interview with CNN, the director Blaugrana ventured on a mined ground by evoking the future of his young nugget. An outing that will not fail to react, as it touches the untouchable Argentine legend which has marked the history of the club.
“Lamine Yamal can become the best in the world”
Laporta did not take tweezers: “Messi was the best player in the world, and I think Lamine is, right now, in a position to become the best in the world. »» A shattering statement that places the 18 -year -old winger directly in the line of the Golden Ball. The Catalan president goes even further by calling Yamal as ” genius “using exactly the same term as he reserved for the Pulga at the time.
For Laporta, the parallels are obvious: “Lamine has a lot of personality. Messi, in his time, also had a lot of personality. »» But the Barcelona leader takes his precautions by recognizing the unique heritage of Argentinian:
“Messi has won everything. Messi did everything. For me, he is probably the best player in history. »»
A comparison that is debated
This exit from Laporta necessarily raises questions. Compare an 18-year-old, as promising as it is, to the one who revolutionized modern football is a marketing strategy or sincere conviction? The Spaniard already accumulates precocity records, but the path to the Messi-Esque Olympus remains immense. Between potential and reality, the border is sometimes cruel in football.
President Blaugrana tries to qualify: “Lamine is Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi was Lionel Messi. The world continues and new geniuses appear. »» An elegant way to say that each era has its exceptional talents, without denying the comparison. It remains to be seen if the young prodigy will be able to endure this immense pressure which has just fallen on his shoulders. History will say if Laporta was visionary or simply carried away by her enthusiasm.
