Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany says it’s distinctive that Barcelona have probably discovered a Lionel Messi substitute in Lamine Yamal so quickly after the Argentine left the membership.
Messi, now at Inter Miami, left Barça in 2021, with Yamal, a left-footed attacker who performs on the fitting, rising from the academy to make his first crew debut as a 15-year-old in 2023.
The 17-year-old has since performed over 60 occasions for Barça, scoring 5 objectives and offering six assists in 12 appearances this season, and helped Spain win the European Championships in the summertime, incomes comparisons with Messi alongside the best way.
“It is distinctive for Barça as a membership [to have Yamal] so shortly after the departure of a participant like Messi,” Kompany stated in a information convention forward of the assembly between the 2 sides within the Champions League on Wednesday.
“For my era, Messi was one of many key figures of our period. To shortly after this participant leaving have already got probably a participant who can substitute him is kind of distinctive.
“Full credit score to [Barça’s academy] La Masia for all the time trusting these gamers and giving them the prospect. However the query for us shouldn’t be about stopping [Yamal], however making an attempt to win a recreation in opposition to Barcelona, which implies [stopping] all of the gamers, not one.
“The main target is on the crew, not one participant, however he is an distinctive participant.”
Yamal is one in every of two 17-year-olds who begins commonly for Barça. The opposite is centre-back Pau CubarsÃ, who additionally drew a rave evaluate from Kompany, a former centre-back himself with Manchester Metropolis.
“He is one of many future defensive leaders in world soccer for certain,” the Belgian coach stated when requested for his opinion on CubarsÃ.
“I used to be fortunate to begin my profession very younger, at the same age, however to play each recreation at this degree, not simply representing Barça, however in opposition to this degree of competitors in a high 5 league and the Champions League, it is very particular, very uncommon.
“He is already participant and if he can hopefully keep match he could have an exquisite profession.”
Kompany, who joined Bayern from Burnley in the summertime, has made begin to his profession in Bavaria. His crew are unbeaten and high of the Bundesliga, though they misplaced their final Champions League recreation at Aston Villa.
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Wednesday’s recreation on the Olympic Stadium offers the newest take a look at to his managerial credentials in opposition to a Barça facet coached by ex-Bayern boss Hansi Flick, who gained the treble throughout his time accountable for the German membership.
“Hansi was not only a coach at Bayern, he was a really profitable coach, an individual that represented the membership in a means that’s nonetheless spoken about as we speak,” Kompany stated.
“He means lots for Bayern and I’m certain this recreation means lots for him. However the duel is on the pitch. Hansi’s concepts are very clear; I hope ours are as properly.”
Talking previous to Kompany, Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich refused to rule out a transfer to Barça subsequent summer season when his contract expires, as an alternative revealing the impression the Catalan membership had on him when he was youthful.
“It is all the time particular to play in opposition to Barcelona,” the German worldwide stated. “After all I’ve seen my title linked with Barça previously, nevertheless it’s not a particular recreation for that cause, just because they’re an enormous membership.
“They’ve had success previously and, together with the Spanish nationwide crew that gained three trophies in a row, they are a membership which have left a mark on me. Xavi [Hernández] was my idol after I was youthful and Pep Guardiola and his Barça facet additionally had an enormous affect on me.”
Requested to present a direct reply on if he may be part of Barça subsequent summer season, he added: “In soccer you’ll be able to by no means make the error of ruling issues out. To reply on to you, I’m not pondering of that proper now, however you’ll be able to by no means rule issues out in life or in soccer.”
