‎Lamine Yamal told why he's 'not the best' despite Messi-level praise from Real Madrid legend Guti

‎At just 17 years of age, Lamine Yamal has already accomplished what many footballers dream of over a lifetime. The FC Barcelona prodigy is not only a staple in Xavi’s first team but also a European Championship winner with Spain, and a recipient of both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy awards. With comparisons to Lionel Messi echoing through the football world, the buzz surrounding Yamal is growing louder by the day.

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‎'Lamine Yamal', 'Lionel Messi.'

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‎Yet, Real Madrid icon Guti has offered a grounded and nuanced perspective on the meteoric rise of the La Masia graduate. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Guti was generous in his praise—but also clear in his assessment: Yamal is not the best. Not yet, at least.

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‎“He’s light years ahead of what I did,” Guti admitted. “But the best? What does being the best mean? It means performing at the highest level every single match—and he’s not there yet.”

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‎The comment isn’t meant as criticism, but rather a recognition of the consistency that defines true greatness. Guti went on to compare Yamal to modern stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior—game-changing talents who, at times, still lack match-to-match dominance.

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‎“What he does is incredible. We often talk about his lack of goals, but the truth is, he decides games with his passing and vision. One play is all it takes for him to shift the momentum.”

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‎Even more striking was Guti’s comment on the comparison to Lionel Messi. “I haven’t seen Messi do that at that age,” he said. “Yamal is in the First Division and still technically a youth player. He’s already Barcelona’s benchmark.”

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‎Yamal’s evolution into a key figure for Barcelona comes as the club pushes for glory in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Yamal is expected to play a starring role for Spain on football’s grandest stage.

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‎The path ahead is bright, but Guti’s words serve as a valuable reminder: raw talent is only part of the equation. Greatness, especially the kind that rivals Messi, is forged in consistency, maturity, and time.