Former Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa has expressed his admiration for Lamine Yamal following his rapid rise to the top.
Yamal had an outstanding 2024, winning UEFA Euro 2024 with Spain, where he was named the best young player of the tournament.
The La Masia graduate also secured major individual honours, including the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy Award.
Villa was quick to express his praise for the young sensation in a recent interview ASsaying: “He’s an incredible kid. How he plays, how he understands football… it’s true that I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been with him a few times and he seems very calm and focused.
“It is not the explosion of a football player that will last for a few months.
“He’s been there for a while where, you could say, he could have made a mistake and the opposite is true. He is very good and every time you see him play he plays better.
“He also knows what it means to be a champion.”
David Villa: “I will not compare Lamin Yamal to Messi, I think comparing any player to Messi is annoying, Lamin is already a world star and has achieved important things in the last two years and I am very excited for him and the fans the right to be excited for him… pic.twitter.com/iq37BnMdrB
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 6, 2025
When asked about comparisons between Lamin and Lionel Messi, Villa replied that the two are not compatible.
“I think comparing any player to Messi is annoying nowadays. Lamine Yamal is already a global star,” added Villa.
“He’s been doing great things for two years now and, as Cule, I’m excited again.
And of course the fans have the right to be excited about him, but I don’t think it’s necessary to compare him to Messi because he’s going to have a very good career.
A tense race for the La Liga title
David Villa also shared his thoughts on the current LaLiga title race, where former sides Barcelona and Atletico Madrid battle alongside champions Real Madrid.
While Villa enjoys watching Atletico and Barcelona battle it out, he has warned both not to underestimate Real Madrid.
🎂 Happy Birthday, David Villa! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/nAqnwRk2vd
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 3, 2024
He said: “Good, though watch out for Madrid. It’s always there. Well, in short, they are the biggest clubs in the country and in recent years have shown, why not say, enough superiority over the rest.
“Given their signings, it was clear that the three of them were going to be in the race again and the truth is that it’s nice.
“Having a rivalry between more than two teams or with a very prominent leader is fantastic for the football fan.
“Of course, I really like two of those three teams because of my past with them and the truth is, I enjoy it a lot.
“I hope the championship continues like this until the end. I would like the championship to be decided at the last minute… and it would be between Atlético and Barca.”
