Former Bayern Munich and AC Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel has made a bold comparison between Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal and football legend Lionel Messi. In a recent interview with Voetbalzone, the 48-year-old Dutchman suggested that Yamal, at 17, is ahead of where Messi was at the same age.

Van Bommel highlighted that Messi had limited first-team opportunities when he broke into Barcelona’s senior squad, whereas Yamal is already playing more regularly and showing impressive development.

“If you compare Messi and Yamal at that age, Yamal is better now,” Van Bommel stated. “Messi didn’t play as many games early on.”

However, the former midfielder also acknowledged the immense challenge Yamal faces if he hopes to match Messi’s legendary career. “Messi has been at this level for twenty years and that’s exceptional. If Yamal wants to catch up with Messi in terms of career goals, he will have to score another 500 or so — that’s almost 30 a season.”

The football world has been buzzing with comparisons between the two players, with fans and analysts split on whether Yamal truly surpasses the teenage version of Messi. While Van Bommel doesn’t claim Yamal is currently the best in the world, he does believe the young winger is on a promising trajectory.

“Yamal is not the best in the world, but he is well on his way,” Van Bommel concluded.