Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt
LiveTickets

This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Explore Betting on GOAL
Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi BarcelonaGetty/GOAL
Soham Mukherjee

'Still not good enough' - Frenkie de Jong shuts down Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi comparisons with Barcelona star adamant no player will ever come close to Inter Miami captain

L. Yamal
L. Messi
Barcelona
LaLiga
Inter Miami CF
Major League Soccer
Spain
Netherlands
UEFA Nations League A

Frenkie de Jong shut down Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi comparisons as the Dutch star believes the teenager is "still not good enough".

Ultimate Sports Bundle
New Fubo Logo

Fubo

✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.

✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.

✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

Monthly from$32.99
Cable Replacement
DirecTV

DirecTV

✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.

✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.

✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

Monthly from$74.99
Total Coverage
espn+ logo

ESPN+

✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.

✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.

✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Monthly from$11.99
Ultimate Sports Bundle
New Fubo Logo

Fubo

✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.

✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.

✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

Monthly from$32.99
Cable Replacement
DirecTV

DirecTV

✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.

✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.

✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

Monthly from$74.99
Total Coverage
espn+ logo

ESPN+

✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.

✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.

✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Monthly from$11.99
Ultimate Sports Bundle
New Fubo Logo

Fubo

✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.

✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.

✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

Monthly from$32.99

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Yamal has been sensational for Barca & Spain
  • Has often been compared to Messi
  • De Jong believes no one can match the Argentine's aura
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Yamal’s meteoric rise in both club and international football has naturally sparked discussions about his potential to emulate Messi’s career. At just 17 years old, he has already amassed an impressive list of achievements, including winning the European Championship with Spain, as well as claiming both the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards.

  • Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi 2025Getty/GOAL

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Yamal's journey has followed a familiar trajectory, coming through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, which also produced Messi and has broken numerous records since making his senior debut at just 15 years old. However, De Jong is still not convinced that Yamal should be mentioned in the same breath as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

  • WHAT DE JONG SAID

    Speaking to reporters, De Jong said: "I don't think you should compare him with Messi because I think that every footballer you compare with Messi is, still not good enough. I don't think there will be another one like Messi."

    Although De Jong dismissed the Messi comparisons, he did not hold back in praising Yamal’s exceptional skill set and his remarkable ability to influence games at such a young age.

    "What he is doing at this age is exceptional and very rare. He is a natural talent," he said. “The way he understands the game, the decisions he makes at this age, are really impressive. I think this skill is completely innate, and fortunately, he has it.”

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

    Follow GOAL on Google
  • Lamine Yamal Spain EURO 2024Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT?

    De Jong and Yamal will be on opposite sides when the Netherlands take on Spain in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final in Valencia on Sunday. The first leg played at De Kuip, ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Mikel Merino netted a stoppage-time equaliser.