'Still not good enough' - Frenkie de Jong shuts down Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi comparisons with Barcelona star adamant no player will ever come close to Inter Miami captain

Yamal’s meteoric rise in both club and international football has naturally sparked discussions about his potential to emulate Messi’s career. At just 17 years old, he has already amassed an impressive list of achievements, including winning the European Championship with Spain, as well as claiming both the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards.

Yamal's journey has followed a familiar trajectory, coming through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, which also produced Messi and has broken numerous records since making his senior debut at just 15 years old. However, De Jong is still not convinced that Yamal should be mentioned in the same breath as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Speaking to reporters, De Jong said: "I don't think you should compare him with Messi because I think that every footballer you compare with Messi is, still not good enough. I don't think there will be another one like Messi."

Although De Jong dismissed the Messi comparisons, he did not hold back in praising Yamal’s exceptional skill set and his remarkable ability to influence games at such a young age.

"What he is doing at this age is exceptional and very rare. He is a natural talent," he said. “The way he understands the game, the decisions he makes at this age, are really impressive. I think this skill is completely innate, and fortunately, he has it.”

De Jong and Yamal will be on opposite sides when the Netherlands take on Spain in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final in Valencia on Sunday. The first leg played at De Kuip, ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Mikel Merino netted a stoppage-time equaliser.