BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) – The meteoric rise of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal so soon after club great Lionel Messi’s departure is exceptional, Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said on Tuesday before the two sides meet in the Champions League.
Teenager Yamal, crowned a European champion with Spain in July, is among the game’s most exciting talents and his emergence has raised the hopes of Barcelona fans that he could help them enjoy the sort of success they had with Messi, also a product of the club’s famed La Masia youth academy.
Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami in the United States, won four Champions League titles with Barcelona along with 10 La Liga crowns and three club world cup trophies among many others.
“I honestly don’t know but it is already exceptional for Barcelona as a club so shortly after the departure of Messi… one of the key figures of our football era, already to have potentially a player who can replace him,” Kompany told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game.
“That is quite unique. Full credit to La Masia.”
Yamal has enjoyed a fine start to the season following his Euro title run in the summer with the national team, with five goals and six assists across all competitions so far.
Bayern, in 15th place after two matchdays, are desperate to bounce back following their loss to Aston Villa in their previous game.
“I honestly think the question for us is not trying just to stop players but to win a game and that includes playing against all players not one just one player although he (Yamal) is an exceptional player,” Kompany said.
The Bavarians have attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala back from injury but Kompany has still not decided if he will start.
“With Jamal… everyone knows how important he is for Bayern but it is not just about the next game but the next 30 or 40 matches. We need to find the right balance,” Kompany said.
“We will have to see if he plays 90 minutes or if he comes on.”
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)
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