Home » Gavi calls Yamal “Best in the world behind only Messi”

Gavi calls Yamal “Best in the world behind only Messi”

Gavi says Lamine Yamal is the “best player in the world” after Lionel Messi following Barcelona’s 5-1 Copa del Rey win over Real Betis.

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Gavi says Yamal is the “best in the world” after Messi

The 17-year-old delivered a masterclass, scoring Barca’s final goal and contributing to the creation of two others.

Although Yamal’s additional goal and assist were ruled offside by VAR, it didn’t stop Gavi from praising the teenager, even comparing him to former Barca legend Lionel Messi.

Yamal has now tallied nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.

[Yamal] is the best in the world, behind only Messi,” said the Barca midfielder.

“Lamine is very good, the best at the moment. But it is foolish to compare him to Messi, because there will only be one. He’s unique, just like there will only be one Xavi, an [Andres] Iniesta or [Sergio] Busquets. We have to make our own way.”

Even Barca manager Hansi Flick agrees with Gavi’s take, though he emphasizes the importance of carefully managing Yamal’s development.

“You know, Gavi’s very emotional, so I say yes as well,” Flick said.

“You can see it. I think in great matches you see big talent and he’s showed it many times. He’s on a really good way. But we have to take care about him.”

Time to bounce back in LaLiga

Gavi opened the scoring before Yamal’s brilliant lobbed pass set up Jules Kounde for Barca’s second goal.

Yamal’s brilliant solo run from the edge of his own box set up Raphinha for a goal.

Substitute Ferran Torres added Barca’s fourth before Yamal finally found the back of the net himself.

Flick wants his players to carry that form into LaLiga, where they trail leaders Atletico Madrid by six points and Real Madrid by five.

“For us, today was very important after the big win against Real Madrid,” the German boss said. “It was very good to see how all the team come back because we travel [back from Saudi Arabia] and we train only yesterday.

“So it’s good to see this, how we play today, the performance from the beginning. We controlled the game and this is really great to see how they do.

“The big goal [is to play like this in LaLiga]. We are looking match to match, of course Saturday is the next one against Getafe. We want to play and be ready for that and win.”