Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi comparisons rubbished by Lautaro Martinez as Inter Milan captain gives honest verdict on Barcelona wonderkid ahead of Champions League semi-final clash

Yamal will feature on the right side of Barca's front three against Inter, a role that once belonged to Messi during the club's golden era. The teenager's maturity and flair have often led to comparisons with the record Ballon d'Or winner, but Martinez chose to distance himself from the Messi-Yamal parallels, stressing the unmatched legacy of his Argentine team-mate.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s first-leg clash at the Montjuic, Martinez said: "Well, first of all, I’m not going to get into that. For me, Leo has no comparison, because he is, was, and will be the best player of all time. So I won’t make that comparison. I can only say that Lamine Yamal is an important player, we’ve all seen it, we all know it. At his young age, he’s doing a tremendous job, he’s already won important titles with his national team, so he deserves respect.”

While comparisons with a Barcelona legend might seem flattering to many, Yamal has insisted he isn’t interested in being seen as the ‘next Messi’.

"I don't compare myself to him, because I don't compare myself to anyone, and much less with Messi," Yamal told reporters. "This comparison thing makes no sense. Furthermore, with Messi, who is the best in history. I'm going to enjoy myself and be myself."

Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy in 2015, a campaign in which Messi was instrumental. Their current run marks their first appearance in the last four of the competition since 2019, coincidentally, the last time Messi was involved with the team on this stage.

For Barcelona, reaching the final would be a major achievement in their post-Messi era. All eyes will be on Yamal as the teenager must put his best foot forward against Serie A giants Inter if Hansi Flick's side are to take a lead to Italy next week for the second leg.