Sport
Capello Admits Lamine Yamal Is a Top Talent but Says He’s Not the Next Messi
Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has shared his thoughts on the ongoing comparisons between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
Since Yamal’s rise to prominence last season, fans and pundits have drawn parallels between the 17-year-old Spanish international and the Argentine legend. Both players came through Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, and like Messi, Yamal is a left-footed right winger with exceptional ball control and dribbling ability.
The young star made his senior debut for Barcelona in April 2023 and has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in football. So far, he has played 86 games for the club, recording 18 goals and 23 assists.
Despite the growing comparisons, Capello believes Yamal is not on Messi’s level. Speaking to MARCA, the Italian coach said, “He’s a kid doing great things. When he first appeared at Barcelona, people called him the new Messi. He’s not at that level. He’s extraordinary, spectacular, and a top player, but he doesn’t have Messi’s genius.”
While reaching Messi’s heights may be a tough task, Yamal has already made history for Barcelona. He finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings and has won both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy, proving he’s on the path to greatness.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri has revealed that winning the Ballon d’Or is a goal he dreams of achieving in the future.
Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, Pedri pointed to Manchester City’s Rodri as an example, noting that midfielders who control the game now have a chance at winning the prestigious award.
While he acknowledged his ambition, Pedri stressed that his focus remains on helping Barcelona succeed as a team. “Winning the Ballon d’Or has always been my dream,” he said. “But right now, I’m focused on helping the team win three titles. That’s the most important thing.”
Pedri, who played a key role in Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid, added that after the season concludes, he’ll reassess and see if it’s the right time to think about individual honors. With Barcelona fighting for the La Liga title and a Champions League semifinal spot, the young midfielder’s focus is squarely on the team’s goals.
Real Madrid legend Raul has addressed the ongoing speculation about him possibly taking over from Carlo Ancelotti as the club’s next head coach.
With questions surrounding Ancelotti’s future at the Bernabeu, reports have suggested that the Italian tactician might part ways with the club at the end of the season. He’s also been strongly linked to the Brazil national team job, especially as his current deal with Real Madrid is set to expire in 2026.
Raul, who currently manages Real Madrid Castilla and has been in that role since 2019, responded calmly when asked about the situation. He made it clear that he’s not letting the rumours distract him.
“I’m happy where I am,” Raul said. “This is where I want to be. When the time comes, and the club decides on anything—if they do—we’ll talk about it. But right now, the focus is on staying calm.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on the present, as the season is nearing its final stretch and there’s still a lot on the line. Raul added that discussions about his future or any big decisions will come later, stressing that he’s completely at ease for now.
The former striker is one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history, having played 16 seasons in Madrid’s first team. He made 741 appearances, scored 323 goals, and provided 135 assists during his career with the Spanish giants.
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has revealed he would choose Bukayo Saka over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior right now.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with PSG, Cascarino praised Saka for his rapid development, work rate, and impact on games, saying those are the qualities he finds lacking in Kylian Mbappe.
“Saka has grown massively as a player,” Cascarino said. “His hunger and effort on the pitch are outstanding. That’s exactly what I feel Mbappe doesn’t show enough of.”
He also suggested that Vinicius has not been at his best lately, possibly due to the pressure brought on by Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Madrid. Cascarino believes this shift has also affected Rodrygo, another young Madrid talent.
“Saka works tirelessly, he troubles defenders constantly, and was a key reason Arsenal advanced,” he added. “Considering he’s just returned from a serious injury, it’s even more impressive. If I had to choose between Vinicius and Saka right now, I’d go with Saka.”
-
Entertainment20 hours agoAnnie Macaulay Says Her Daughters Are Her Backbone After Split from 2Face
-
Entertainment20 hours agoShallipopi Vows to Boycott The Headies After Embarrassing Moment
-
Sport20 hours agoMorata Says Victor Osimhen is One of the Best Strikers in the World
-
Sport7 hours agoCascarino Says Saka’s Desire Makes Him Better Than Mbappe and Vinicius
-
News7 hours agoKeyamo Says 2027 Coalition Can’t Unseat Tinubu
-
Politics7 hours agoArewa Youth Movement Advises Tinubu to Pick Northern Christian as VP for 2027
-
Politics7 hours agoKeyamo Urges APC Members to Support Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election
-
Sport7 hours agoRaul Says He’s Fine at Castilla as Talks of Replacing Ancelotti Grow