In a revealing interview with GQ Hype Spain, Pep Guardiola addressed the growing debate comparing FC Barcelona‘s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi. As the comparisons intensified following Yamal’s explosive 2024–25 campaign, Guardiola stepped in to cool the narrative and called for patience.
“I think we need to let Lamine Yamal have his own career,” Guardiola said. “And when he’s been playing for fifteen years, then we can say if he’s better or worse. Let him have his career. And the fact that he’s already being compared to Messi — those are big words.
The Manchester City manager illustrated the comparison with a painterly metaphor: “It’s like comparing a painter to Van Gogh. People would say, ‘Wow, not bad,’ which means he’s good. And being compared like that is a sign that he’s good. But we need to let him develop his own career. We’ll see in time.”
Guardiola, who coached Messi during his peak years at Barcelona, made sure to separate admiration for Yamal from what he called “a whole different level” of greatness. “That’s 90 goals in a season, for 15 years, nonstop, without injuries. That’s a whole different level. Let it be. Just let it be.”
These comments weren’t off the cuff. Guardiola reiterated them during a separate appearance on DAZN Spain, where he praised Yamal’s maturity and talent but left no doubt: “I’m not going to say he’s like Leo, I’m really sorry. For me, there will be no one, no one, no one in the world like Messi. It’s impossible.”
Comparing potential to legend
The statistical case for Yamal’s greatness is compelling. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded 18 goals and 25 assists across 55 matches, helping Barcelona win a domestic treble and reach the Champions League semifinals. He became the youngest player to score in La Liga, in the Champions League, and for Spain.
Yet at age 17, Messi had just one senior goal and fewer than 10 appearances. In that light, Yamal appears ahead of schedule. But Guardiola’s cautionary tone stems from experience. He’s seen prodigies wither under pressure and labels.
Spanish media mostly echoed Guardiola’s stance. El Gráfico called his remarks “categorical.” Mundo Deportivo emphasized the weight of “palabras mayores” — big words — when invoking Messi. Even Messi himself praised Yamal as “one of the best in the world for his age,” but emphasized that he’s still in a “growth process.”
Fans on social media agreed. One post summed it up: “Yamal is brilliant, but Messi is mythical. Let the kid step out into his own light.”
And perhaps that’s Guardiola’s lasting message. Yamal may one day write his own masterpiece. But there’s no need to hang it next to Van Gogh before it’s even finished.
