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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barcelona beat Girona 4-1</li><li>Teenager Yamal bags brace</li><li>Told he can reach Messi levels</li></ul>

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi's level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona's 'difference-maker' following heavy La Liga defeat

LaLiga

Girona

Espanyol

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

Yamal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-player-ratings-vs-girona-lamine-yamal-next-lionel-messi-hansi-flick-la-liga-title-race/bltf3e37d68b5d3f227" target="_blank">bagged a brace in Barca's 4-1 win at Girona</a> on Sunday to maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Following that virtuoso performance, Girona boss Michel has said the 17-year-old can reach the great Messi's level one day.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He told reporters: "Lamine is a difference-maker. For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age. It is difficult to imagine that after Messi another [like him] would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he's a player than can reach that level."

WHAT MICHEL SAID

As Michel says, the teenager may be one of the best players in the world already - just as Messi was becoming when he made his breakthrough at Barcelona all those years ago. Yamal <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sexy-football-back-england-inspiration-spain-euro-2024-preparing-2026-world-cup/bltea9e19a341775f12" target="_blank">starred in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph</a> and is delivering for the Blaugrana week after week at the very highest level despite only turning 17 in July.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Yamal will get another chance to shine for Barcelona, this time on Thursday away to Monaco as they kickstart their 2024-25 Champions League campaign. His team then return to La Liga action away at Villarreal next Sunday.

WHAT NEXT?

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi's level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona's 'difference-maker' following heavy La Liga defeat | Goal.com Uganda

Barcelona&apos;s Lamine Yamal has been branded a &quot;difference-maker&quot; and likened to Lionel Messi after his stunning goalscoring display against Girona.

Lamine Yamal told he can reach Lionel Messi&apos;s level as Girona boss Michel drools over Barcelona&apos;s &apos;difference-maker&apos; following heavy La Liga defeat