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Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany says it’s distinctive that Barcelona have doubtlessly 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 precise, rising from the academy to make his first staff debut as a 15-year-old in 2023.
The 17-year-old has since performed over 60 instances 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 mentioned in a information convention forward of the assembly between the 2 sides within the Champions League on Wednesday.
“For my technology, Messi was one of many key figures of our period. To shortly after this participant leaving have already got doubtlessly a participant who can exchange him is sort of distinctive.
“Full credit score to [Barça’s academy] La Masia for at all times trusting these gamers and giving them the prospect. However the query for us will not be about stopping [Yamal], however attempting to win a recreation in opposition to Barcelona, which suggests [stopping] all of the gamers, not one.
“The main focus is on the staff, not one participant, however he is an distinctive participant.”
Yamal is certainly one of two 17-year-olds who begins often for Barça. The opposite is centre-back Pau Cubarsí, 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 mentioned when requested for his opinion on Cubarsí.
“I used to be fortunate to start out my profession very younger, at an analogous age, however to play each recreation at this stage, not simply representing Barça, however in opposition to this stage of competitors in a prime 5 league and the Champions League, it’s totally particular, very uncommon.
“He is already a superb 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 a superb begin to his profession in Bavaria. His staff are unbeaten and prime of the Bundesliga, though they misplaced their final Champions League recreation at Aston Villa.
Wednesday’s recreation on the Olympic Stadium gives 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 in control of 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 approach that’s nonetheless spoken about immediately,” Kompany mentioned.
“He means loads for Bayern and I’m certain this recreation means loads for him. However the duel is on the pitch. Hansi’s concepts are very clear; I hope ours are as nicely.”
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 influence the Catalan membership had on him when he was youthful.
“It is at all times particular to play in opposition to Barcelona,” the German worldwide mentioned. “After all I’ve seen my identify linked with Barça prior to now, nevertheless it’s not a particular recreation for that purpose, just because they’re an enormous membership.
“They’ve had success prior to now and, together with the Spanish nationwide staff that gained three trophies in a row, they seem to be a membership which have left a mark on me. Xavi [Hernández] was my idol once I was youthful and Pep Guardiola and his Barça facet additionally had an enormous affect on me.”
Requested to offer 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.”