Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany says it is exceptional that Barcelona have potentially found a Lionel Messi replacement in Lamine Yamal so soon after the Argentine left the club.
Messi, now at Inter Miami, left Barca in 2021, with Yamal, a left-footed attacker who plays on the right, emerging from the academy to make his first team debut as a 15-year-old in 2023.
The 17-year-old has since played over 60 times for Barca, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances this season, and helped Spain win the European Championships in the summer, earning comparisons with Messi along the way.
"It's exceptional for Barca as a club [to have Yamal] so shortly after the departure of a player like Messi," Kompany said in a news conference ahead of the meeting between the two sides in the Champions League on Wednesday.
"For my generation, Messi was one of the key figures of our era. To shortly after this player leaving already have potentially a player who can replace him is quite unique.
"Full credit to [Barca's academy] La Masia for always trusting these players and giving them the chance. But the question for us is not about stopping [Yamal], but trying to win a game against Barcelona, which means [stopping] all the players, not one.
"The focus is on the team, not one player, but he's an exceptional player."
Lamine Yamal has already made an incredible impact since comiing into the Barcelona first team.
Yamal is one of two 17-year-olds who starts regularly for Barca. The other is centre-back Pau Cubarsí, who also drew a rave review from Kompany, a former centre-back himself with Manchester City.
"He's one of the future defensive leaders in world football for sure," the Belgian coach said when asked for his opinion on Cubarsí.
"I was lucky to start my career very young, at a similar age, but to play every game at this level, not just representing Barca, but against this level of competition in a top five league and the Champions League, it's very special, very rare.
"He's already a good player and if he can hopefully stay fit he will have a wonderful career."
Kompany, who joined Bayern from Burnley in the summer, has made a good start to his career in Bavaria. His team are unbeaten and top of the Bundesliga, although they lost their last Champions League game at Aston Villa.
Wednesday's game at the Olympic Stadium provides the latest test to his managerial credentials against a Barca side coached by ex-Bayern boss Hansi Flick, who won the treble during his time in charge of the German club.
"Hansi was not just a coach at Bayern, he was a very successful coach, a person that represented the club in a way that is still spoken about today," Kompany said.
"He means a lot for Bayern and I am sure this game means a lot for him. But the duel is on the pitch. Hansi's ideas are very clear; I hope ours are as well."
Speaking prior to Kompany, Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich refused to rule out a move to Barca next summer when his contract expires, instead revealing the impact the Catalan club had on him when he was younger.
"It's always special to play against Barcelona," the German international said. "Of course I have seen my name linked with Barca in the past, but it's not a special game for that reason, simply because they're a huge club.
"They've had success in the past and, along with the Spanish national team that won three trophies in a row, they're a club that have left a mark on me. Xavi [Hernandez] was my idol when I was younger and Pep Guardiola and his Barca side also had a big influence on me."
Asked to give a direct answer on if he could join Barca next summer, he added: "In football you can never make the mistake of ruling things out. To respond directly to you, I am not thinking of that right now, but you can never rule things out in life or in football."
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Poor Man Utd Napoli step up talks over Darwin Nunez deal Man City's Cherki wants Man Utd revenge This is why Trent can speak Spanish How are there 2 Mbappes? Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t retiring anytime soon. This is what football is all about. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt's standout attacker Hugo Ekitike as he attracts Prem interestMan Utd might have an advantage in the race for Hugo EkitikeManchester United might have an advantage in the race for Frankfurt standout Hugo Ekitike.The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with United, Chelsea and ...
KYLE WALKER has agreed to join Everton on a one-year deal. The England right-back has been locked in talks with Toffees chiefs since his return from his loan spell at AC Milan. Kyle Walker is bringing the curtain down on his glorious Man City careerEverton and current club Manchester City will now thrash out whether it is a permanent deal or just a 12-month loan while he sees out the remainder of ...
Chelsea have enquired about Lyon sensation Malick Fofana as they continue to look for Jadon Sancho's replacement.Chelsea eye move for Lyon's FofanaBlues looking for Sancho's replacementChelsea face LAFC in Club World Cup on MondayWHAT HAPPENED?Per The Athletic, the Blues have made a verbal enquiry about 20-year-old Lyon winger Fofana as they look to bolster their squad in the summer transfer windo...
Everton keen to rival Fenerbahce for WalkerPer journalist Mike McGrath, Everton have shown interest in signing Kyle Walker after the Manchester City star failed to secure an AC Milan move.Last week, reports emerged in the Turkish media that Fenerbahce are keen on signing the veteran full-back as Jose Mourinho is aiming to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. Fenerbahce have even formally sub...
Arsenal, Man Utd ask Real Madrid to name Brahim priceArsenal and Manchester United have sounded out Real Madrid over a price for Brahim Diaz.The former Manchester City midfielder has attracted enquiries from both Premier League giants, says Okdiario.For his part, Brahim is settled in Madrid, though there is concern inside his camp over the imminent arrival of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.Th...
DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB LeipzigCelta Vigo have signed permanently Iliax Moriba from RB Leipzig.The midfielder had spent last season on-loan with Celta, which have now decided to sign him permanently from RBL for a fee of €6m.Celta announced today: "RC Celta has exercised the purchase option agreed upon last summer with RB Leipzig and has completed its second sign...
Japhet Tanganga's Millwall contract includes a modest £1.2m release clause (Image: Getty)Crystal Palace are interested in signing Japhet Tanganga from south London rivals Millwall. But the Eagles' pursuit of the defender will depend on the sale of Marc Guehi, who is once again attracting interest from some of the Premier League's top sides.Tanganga has spent the past 18 months at The Den, ini...
Andre Onana is set to remain Man Utd's starting goalkeeper (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)Andre Onana is poised to remain as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper next season. Despite the Reds' boss Ruben Amorim desiring a new No. 1, seeking a replacement for Onana isn't high on the agenda as United focus on revamping a squad that ended up in 15th place last season.United had an...
Jack Grealish has been left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad (Image: Getty)Liverpool could play an important role in saving Jack Grealish from his Manchester City nightmare this summer. The former Aston Villa talisman has been left out of Pep Guardiola's Club World Cup squad and put up for sale, with City hoping to recoup some of the £100million they paid four years ago, or at least eas...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 5 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 6 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 7 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 8 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 9 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE