Yamal finished the 2024-25 season with 18 goals and 25 assists in all competitions and dominated the La Liga statistical leaderboards
Barcelona sporting director Deco believes Lamine Yamal has the potential to replicate Lionel Messi’s historic legacy at Camp Nou, after the teenage sensation signed a new long-term contract with the club.
Yamal, still only 17, agreed fresh terms last week to extend his stay in Catalonia until 2031. The new contract includes performance-based incentives which, according to reports in Spain, could make him the highest-paid player in the squad.
Deco stopped short of drawing direct parallels with Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, but admitted Yamal’s trajectory is impossible to ignore.
“Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club, for me, the best player in history,” Deco told BBC Sport. “Everyone becomes crazy when they see Lamine playing football. You would pay to go watch him in the stadium. He’s special.”
Yamal has just completed a stellar campaign under Hansi Flick, helping Barcelona to a domestic treble – La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana – while narrowly missing out on the Champions League final after a 7-6 aggregate defeat to Inter in the semi-finals.
The winger finished the season with 18 goals and 25 assists in all competitions and dominated the La Liga statistical leaderboards in 2024-25. He led the league in assists (15), big chances created (28), dribbles completed (161), shots following a carry (56), and throughballs (33).
“He’s going to be one of the best players in the world,” Deco said. “We need to respect him as a player, but not forget he is 17 years old. It’s not easy to compare [with Messi], but in terms of quality, he can make history like Leo. But of course, to make history, he needs a good team behind him.”
Deco also confirmed that talks are underway to renew the contract of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, and hinted that defender Eric Garcia is in line for a new deal following his loan spell at Girona.
Barcelona have been linked with summer moves for Marcus Rashford and Luis Diaz, but Deco was reticent about potential signings.
“We’ve been focusing on renewing contracts. After that, we’ll discuss players to come,” said Deco. “Of course, these two players you mentioned [Rashford and Diaz] are good, but they have contracts with their clubs, so we won’t speak because it’s not fair.
“In my opinion, we don’t need to bring many players. When I speak with agents, everyone wants to come or stay. The image of the club is still good. We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come.”
