'Do things you can't stop!' - Why Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is 'a bit like Lionel Messi' as teen sensation earns high praise from ex-Blaugrana boss

Yamal earned high praise after his contribution in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Athletic Club. In fact, it does not get much better than being compared to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi. The 17-year-old scored Barca's opener in the 24th minute when he curled a sumptuous effort into the bottom corner from outside the area as Hansi Flick's side made it two wins from two in La Liga.

Yamal looked just like Messi in the way that he created space for himself before finding his target in style. The comparisons to the all-time Barcelona legend have been widespread over the past 12 months, and former Blaugrana boss Ernesto Valverde can also draw similarities between the pair. Valverde managed Messi during his time at the Camp Nou and the Athletic boss believes Yamal is also capable of moments of magic.

Valverde said: "With Lamine Yamal it's unpredictable to know where he's going to do things. He's a bit like with Messi, they do things that you just can't stop."

Nico Williams was the closest player to Yamal but was unable to stop his Spain team-mate from finding the net. After the match, the Barcelona star revealed how he was able to exploit his good friend's weakness to score.

The teenager looks set to take things to another level after his breakthrough 2023-24 campaign, for which he was named La Liga Under-23 Player of the Season. Barcelona have a quick turnaround after Saturday's win; they face Rayo Vallecano in the league on Tuesday.