Girona manager Michel has claimed Lamine Yamal can reach Lionel Messi's level after watching the Barcelona winger tear his side apart in Sunday's Catalan derby at Montilivi.
Yamal, 17, scored twice as Barca won 4-1 for their fifth victory in five LaLiga games this season, with Dani Olmo and Pedri also on target before Cristhian Stuani scored a late consolation goal for Girona.
“Lamine is a player who makes the difference,” said Míchel at a press conference. “For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years old.”
“It's hard to imagine that after Messi another one will come [like him] He would come, but I hope Lamine continues to improve because he is a player who can reach that level.”
Yamal scored twice in seven first-half minutes to seal the game before the break, stealing a goal from David Lopez to open the scoring on the half-hour mark before adding his second with a fine finish from the edge of the area.
The Spain international now leads the league in goal contributions this season with seven, ahead of teammates Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, who have six and five respectively.
Before Sunday's brace against Girona, four of Yamal's five goalscoring contributions had come in the form of assists, and Barca coach Hansi Flick welcomed the addition of more goals to his game.
“I was really happy that he scored the goal,” Flick said of his reaction to the opening goal. “Lamine usually makes the final pass and I was happy that he scored today.”
Yamal's opening goal came thanks to Barca's high pressing, which particularly impressed Flick and has been a feature of his side's unbeaten start to the new campaign.
“We started the match very focused, very concentrated and we pressed them very well,” added the German coach.
“The first goal was incredible, really good from Lamine. [in the press]and we deserved the victory and the result.
“We are now going with the confidence that we have built up in the last few games, you can see it today, in our lines, in how we remain as a unit, very compact and very high.
“It's not usually easy to do this, but we always need to put pressure on the ball and we did that well. I think you can see the confidence we have and when we have the ball, we have the quality to play and create chances.”
Olmo added a third with a spectacular strike from a tight angle before Pedri made it 4-0 after collecting a pass from Marc Casadó and beating the goalkeeper as Barca banished memories of the 4-2 defeat at Montilivi that ended their slim title hopes at the end of last season.
However, the match ended bitterly, with Stuani scoring the consolation goal for the home team, Ferran Torres receiving a straight red card for a foul on Yáser Asprilla that will result in a suspension, and Olmo leaving the field injured.
Flick said Olmo will undergo tests on Monday to determine the nature of the hamstring problem, but there is optimism he will not be sidelined for long as Barca begin their Champions League campaign at Monaco on Thursday before a trip to Villarreal in LaLiga.
