Lamine Yamal ‘deserves No. 10’ but Lionel Messi comparisons ‘aren’t helpful’ as Sergio Aguero reacts to hype

Sergio Aguero says Lamine Yamal “deserves the 10” at Barcelona, but admits comparisons with Lionel Messi “aren’t helpful”.

• Teenager signed lucrative contract
• Handed iconic jersey in Catalunya
• Backed to create his own legacy

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having seen another product of their famed La Masia academy system make a senior breakthrough at 15, Barca are trying to carefully manage Yamal through a testing stage of his career that presents plenty of distractions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He has been likened to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for some time, as another left-footed superstar that is seemingly destined for greatness, with records tumbling around the youngster as he collected European Championship and La Liga titles.

• WHAT AGUERO SAID

  Spain international Yamal has now turned 18, allowing him to sign a lucrative contract, while an iconic shirt in Catalunya has been passed his way. Ex-Barcelona striker Aguero has told : “[Barcelona’s number 10] has got a lot of symbolic weight for sure. There's Leo to think about, yes, but also Ronaldinho, Diego [Maradona], and other great players. I think Lamine deserves the 10, having demonstrated a lot of character and skill for a player his age. He's performed great both at Barcelona as well as the national squad, so I'd say he's managed the pressure very well so far.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Aguero added on the pressure being lumped onto Yamal’s young shoulders as he heads down a similar path to Argentine GOAT Messi: “I don't believe there's a lot of value in this type of hypotheticals. Leo has a singular, one-of-a-kind trajectory of personal and team feats under his belt. For Barcelona, he's the best there ever was. So, this type of comparisons aren't helpful. Lamine should pave his own path. He's just getting started and he's done brilliantly until now.”