'He's a chosen one' - Xavi raves about Lamine Yamal as he reveals how Barcelona wonderkid compares to Neymar and Lionel Messi

Yamal has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, picking up Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy prizes along the way. He has already made well over 100 competition appearances for Barca, while collecting 23 senior international caps with Spain. Once considered to be the hottest of prospects, the youngster has taken up a place among the global elite.

There is the promise of even more to come, with Yamal not yet the finished article, and that is an exciting prospect for Barca and football followers all over the world. Former Blaugrana player and coach Xavi believes that Yamal is treading a similar path to Messi and Neymar - two icons that previously thrilled audiences in Catalunya - with it clear from the very start that he was destined for greatness.

Xavi told Cronache di Spogliatoio when asked to shower Yamal with praise: “He's a 'chosen one,' he could be one of the geniuses in the history of football, and it depends on him, his ambition, his passion.”

Xavi added: “At 15 or 16 years old, he would dribble past professionals, and even in training, in the coaching staff, we often wondered who was the best, and practically every day, or almost, it was him. He did special things, things you'd only see Neymar, Messi, players of that calibre do. I saw him ready and I wasn't afraid. He wasn't afraid either, he had no complexes, he can make the difference; what he does at his age is wonderful.”

Yamal has grown accustomed to the Messi comparisons, having had to contend with them since stepping out of the same La Masia academy system, but has always stated that he wants to create his own legend - rather than sharing one with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Yamal has said: “I’ve always tried to forge my own path. Of course, Messi is the greatest player in history for me, without a doubt. He’s left-footed, and so am I. He played for Barcelona, and I play for Barcelona. He played as a right winger, and so do I. We definitely have a lot in common, and that’s okay. I just want to carve my own path.

“He wrote his legendary story, and I hope to have a successful career like his. But more importantly, I want to play football my way, to write my own story, and to make people remember the name Lamine Yamal.”

Xavi is convinced that Yamal will follow in Messi’s footsteps by landing a Golden Ball of his own, with there every chance that he will end up with several. World Cup winner Xavi told Marca: “Yes, without a doubt. We said it among the staff - we said he was Ballon d’Or material. Watching him train, you could already see something different. You immediately realised he was one of the chosen ones.”

Xavi is proud to have played his part in Yamal’s development, having been the man to hand the youngster his Barca debut at 15 years of age. He went on to say: “I feel very proud of what Lamine is doing and of having given him the chance to make his debut. I saw him as very prepared despite being 15. He was very confident, very capable, making a difference in training. He wasn’t afraid of anything. From the very first day, he stood out. For me, he’s one of the chosen ones and can define an era in world football.”

Yamal is currently being prevented from starring on domestic, continental and international stages after aggravating a groin injury that was first picked up with Spain in September. He is expected to be out of action for a few weeks, which could take him towards a Clasico clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid on October 26.