Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has hailed Lamine Yamal as the heir to Lionel Messi's throne at Barcelona.
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The diminutive Argentine's departure from the Camp Nou in 2021 encapsulated the financial crisis that the Catalan giants found themselves in.
Their precarious fiscal situation has since forced the club to focus largely on recruiting free agents and promoting young talents from La Masia.
The latter strategy has proved the most fruitful, however, because at this stage of the 2024/25 campaign, the Blaugrana are top of the LALIGA standing having mostly utilised players from their famed academy.
Perhaps their biggest star from La Masia at the moment is Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old had a breakout season last term, and has continued to raise his profile with world-class performances for his boyhood club and his country.
In June and July, he played a massive role in helping Spain win their fourth UEFA European Championship, and in the new campaign for Barca, he already has five goals and six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.
Many have been left awe-struck by the youngster, including Bayern boss Kompany.
Ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Hansi Flick's side on Wednesday night, the Belgian tactician has been left impressed by how the Spanish giants have been able to produce a seemingly generational talent shortly after club icon Messi left.
"It's exceptional for Barca as a club [to have Lamine Yamal] so shortly after the departure of a player like Messi," Kompany said, as per ESPN.
"For my generation, Messi was one of the key figures of our era. To shortly after this player leaving already have potentially a player who can replace him is quite unique.
"Full credit to [Barca's academy] La Masia for always trusting these players and giving them the chance. But the question for us is not about stopping [Lamine Yamal], but trying to win a game against Barcelona, which means [stopping] all the players, not one.
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"The focus is on the team, not one player, but he's an exceptional player."
