Lamine Yamal: Cesc Fabregas identifies a ‘one-of-a-kind’ Barcelona player as one of the top in the world and supports comparisons to Lionel Messi.

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In a bold statement that has captured the attention of football fans across Europe, Cesc Fabregas has hailed young sensation Lamine Yamal as one of the most gifted players on the planet. The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has even gone so far as to draw comparisons between the 17-year-old and the legendary Lionel Messi.

Yamal has enjoyed a meteoric rise during the 2023/24 season, notching up an impressive 16 goal contributions in 50 appearances for Barcelona. His breakthrough year has not only solidified his place in the club’s first team but also seen him shine on the international stage. At UEFA Euro 2024, he played a pivotal role in Spain’s triumph, scoring a stunning goal in the semi-final against France and providing an assist in the final.

This season, Yamal has continued to dazzle, already accumulating 10 goals and assists in just 11 matches for his club. Fabregas, who knows a thing or two about talent, believes that the impact Yamal is having makes him the most talented player in the world right now.

“When you have this type of talent, this type of quality, it’s fantastic to see how he expresses himself on the pitch,” Fabregas told ESPN. “He plays with such freedom and creativity. He’s a unique talent who needs to be allowed to play football.”

The former midfielder went on to praise Yamal’s ability to read the game, noting that he consistently finds the right solutions, whether it’s through individual brilliance or clever link-up play. “He’s capable of understanding what the game needs at any moment,” Fabregas added. “This is already a sign of a big player, a very mature player. It feels like he’s playing in the street; everything comes so easily to him.”

Fabregas also addressed the inevitable comparisons between Yamal and a young Messi, who burst onto the scene at Barcelona in 2004. Messi, now regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has amassed an astonishing 844 goals throughout his illustrious career, along with numerous league titles, UEFA Champions League trophies, and a FIFA World Cup victory in 2022.

While acknowledging the excitement surrounding Yamal, Fabregas urged caution regarding the comparisons. “I don’t like it because every player is different and has their own story,” he said. “Lamine needs to carve out his own path. However, there are definitely signs that remind you of what Leo used to be.”

He continued, “Barcelona fans have endured a tough few years, and the excitement that Lamine brings is crucial. Just like Messi in difficult times, he has the potential to step up for the team. I believe he can achieve great things at Barcelona for many years to come.”

As Yamal continues to develop, all eyes will be on him to see if he can live up to the lofty expectations set by both fans and pundits alike.