Georgios Donis: 'Lamine Yamal is starting to replace Messi at Barcelona'
Saudi Arabia manager Georgios Donis has hailed Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as the world's biggest talent, comparing his impact and maturity to the peak of Lionel Messi.
Lamine Yamal continues to capture the imagination of the football world. His rapid ascent to the highest level at such a tender age has left fans, teammates, and even opposition managers in awe. The latest figure to heap praise on the youngster is Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis.
Ahead of his side’s clash with Spain, Donis delivered a bold assessment of the 18-year-old winger. "I think Yamal is maybe this period the biggest talent in the world. I think he started to replace Messi in Barcelona in the best way," Donis stated, noting that he has rarely seen such quality and maturity in a player so young.
I think Yamal is maybe this period the biggest talent in the world. I think he started to replace Messi in Barcelona in the best way. Georgios Donis
While most observers focus on Yamal’s dribbling and goalscoring, Donis believes the teenager’s true strength lies in his footballing IQ. He noted that Yamal possesses a level of maturity typically reserved for veterans. "For me the most important is not about the skills, but about the maturity and he knows what he can do every moment and that is the biggest difference," the coach explained.
Donis, who previously faced Barcelona during the peak years of Lionel Messi, sees a striking similarity in the impact both players have on the pitch. Furthermore, the Saudi manager highlighted how indispensable Yamal and Nico Williams have become for Luis de la Fuente’s Spain. He argued that the national team struggles to find a clinical edge and individual solutions in one-on-one situations whenever these two players are absent.