Barcelona star Dani Olmo says it is absurd to compare teenage teammate Lamine Yamal to club legend Lionel Messi, urging the winger to forge his own path.
BARCELONA midfielder Dani Olmo has dismissed comparisons between teenage winger Lamine Yamal and club icon Lionel Messi as “crazy”.
Olmo spoke ahead of Barcelona’s crucial Champions League match against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Like Messi, Yamal emerged from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and has often been likened to the Argentine great, something the 18-year-old has tried to downplay.
“I think Lamine has his path and he knows it. Comparing any player playing now with Messi is crazy,” Olmo told a news conference.
Yamal scored a spectacular acrobatic goal in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Real Oviedo on Sunday, a result that sent them top of La Liga.
Olmo praised the young winger’s current impact and future potential.
“Lamine is a ‘spectacle’, he is very young, what he’s giving us now is incredible and in the future it will be a lot more.”
Yamal made his Barcelona debut at 15 and has since broken several records, including becoming the youngest ever La Liga goalscorer.
He was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and Barcelona’s run to last season’s Champions League semi-finals.
Olmo emphasised the collective responsibility to support Yamal’s development.
“(Yamal) is calm, he has his path and his idea. We will be there to help him, that’s our job.”
He added that the team’s success is intertwined with Yamal’s performances.
“It’s a collective thing in the end. if Lamine plays well, wins, scores goals, then the team will win.”
Barcelona host Copenhagen needing a win and favourable results elsewhere to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase and direct progression to the last 16.
Coach Hansi Flick confirmed the team will be without the injured Pedri Gonzalez and suspended Frenkie de Jong, but Ferran Torres may return from injury.
“We have to play this match and respect Copenhagen, they have a fantastic team, and play at our top level,” said Flick.
He stressed the importance of seizing the opportunity to qualify directly.
“We have a big chance to finish in the (top) eight, we will do everything we can to reach it.”
