Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi's level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona's 'difference-maker' following heavy La Liga defeat

Yamal bagged a brace in Barca's 4-1 win at Girona on Sunday to maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Following that virtuoso performance, Girona boss Michel has said the 17-year-old can reach the great Messi's level one day.

He told reporters: "Lamine is a difference-maker. For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age. It is difficult to imagine that after Messi another [like him] would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he's a player than can reach that level."

As Michel says, the teenager may be one of the best players in the world already - just as Messi was becoming when he made his breakthrough at Barcelona all those years ago. Yamal starred in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and is delivering for the Blaugrana week after week at the very highest level despite only turning 17 in July.

Yamal will get another chance to shine for Barcelona, this time on Thursday away to Monaco as they kickstart their 2024-25 Champions League campaign. His team then return to La Liga action away at Villarreal next Sunday.