Can Lamine Yamal be the new Messi? Koeman has a surprising wish

Spain will face the Netherlands this Thursday in Rotterdam, rehashing the final of the 2010 World Cup. This time, the spotlight will be on Lamine Yamal, the new great star of FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team. In the press conference before Thursday's match (21:45 CEST), Ronald Koeman took the opportunity to talk about the player from Mataró and the comparisons with Leo Messi.

"I hope Lamine becomes as important for Barça as Messi was. I hope that the young players bring many titles to Barça," the Dutch coach began saying ahead of the first clash against La Roja in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. In that sense, the former Barça coach did not hold back in praising the '19' player.

"He is a special player, it is important for a coach to have these kinds of players who decide matches. Just like Messi did. I had him and he is impressive," Koeman added. The Barça legend, who scored the goal that gave the club its first 'orejona', only coached Leo in the 2020-21 season, the year the azulgrana team won their last Copa del Rey.

Ronald Koeman, happy about the development of the young players he debuted at Barça

On the other hand, the 61-year-old coach, who took charge of the 'Orange' again in 2023 after the World Cup in Qatar, valued having been able to work with several of the young players who are now shining at Barça, such as Pedri, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde, who debuted during his time with the azulgrana team. 

"I am very happy to have given these players their debut, but the credit goes to them for proving to be great footballers. It is nice to see them because I have a lot of affection for them. Therefore, tomorrow's match is a special one for me," Koeman pointed out, who also gave good news about Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder missed the match on Sunday against Atlético de Madrid, but he will be able to play on Thursday with his national team.