• Guardiola managed Messi at Barca
• Yamal following in his footsteps
• Pep insists he cannot match Argentine

WHAT HAPPENED?

Guardiola insists that while Yamal is emerging as a world-class talent at the age of 17 at Barcelona, it is “impossible” for any player to match the feats of Messi, who is undoubtedly one of the finest players to ever step foot on a pitch.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola has not managed Yamal but, of course, he and Messi embarked on a golden era together at Barca, winning three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice during their time together. Now, Yamal is poised to take the No.10 shirt that the World Cup winner once wore.

WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

Guardiola told DAZN: “It’s surprising what everyone says, and it’s true: you only acquire this maturity at 24, 25 years old… Sometimes it seems like a player with so much talent, it seems like you have to take a chance on every play. Every play you have to shoot a three-pointer like Curry. No. He comes here, one touch, and now I rest for three minutes. And now he comes another touch. And now I make a little drive and I pass it again. And now I’m going to win the game.”

He added: “It’s about understanding the game based on… it’s really surprising, the truth is that we at Barça are very lucky to have found a kid again who has a perspective, I’m not going to say like Leo, I’m really sorry but Leo, for me there will be no one, no one, no one in the world like the Argentine, it’s impossible.”

WHAT NEXT?

Yamal will play in the Nations League final on Sunday when Spain play Portugal.