Even better than Lionel Messi! Barcelona scout makes bold Lamine Yamal prediction as teenage wonderkid is tipped to eclipse Argentine GOAT

La Masia graduate Yamal has been unable to escape comparisons to Argentine superstar Messi since bursting onto the senior scene at 15 years of age. Records have tumbled around the teenage wonderkid as he has become a Golden Boy and Euro 2024 winner.

There is the promise of even more to come from Yamal, who is still only 17, and he could go on to eclipse the efforts of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. Everyone in Barcelona is hoping that proves to be the case, with another hidden gem being unearthed in their academy system.

Mancini – the son of former Italy international Roberto – is among those charged with the task of finding more legends of the future. He has told Gazzetta dello Sport of that process, with Yamal leading the way in 2025: “I am looking for new Lamine Yamals. The club’s challenge is to get at least four or five children from La Masia into the first team every year. And the challenge is met every year. Look at Yamal, it’s easy to say, but he’s been here for three years now. He will become stronger than everyone, even Messi.”

Asked to pick out the hottest prospects on Barca’s books at present, Mancini added: “Among the boys who are now making their way into the first team, if I had to name one I would say Toni Fernandez. He is 16 years old, he has already made his debut and he has everything to be a champion.”

Barcelona’s youth system is among the most successful in world football, with the likes of Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Gavi having also dropped off that production line alongside all-time great Messi.