Ever since Lamine Yamal burst onto the scene at Barcelona, comparisons to Lionel Messi have been constant. Fans and pundits alike have drawn parallels between the two La Masia products, with some even claiming the young Spaniard could surpass the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
But not everyone is buying into the hype. Former Barca midfielder Jeffren Suarez — who came through the club’s academy and debuted with the first team in 2009 — spoke on the Helado Oscuro podcast and downplayed the quality of both Yamal and Messi.
“He’s 18 years old, and it’s normal that he doesn’t know the consequences of his actions, but you have to get through to him, because if you don’t do it in time… forget it,” Suarez said of Yamal. He did add, however, that he believes the club will guide him correctly: “I think Barca will do things the right way”.
While praising Yamal’s movement on the field, Suarez didn’t mince words: “He’s not the one who makes the difference. Barcelona has very good players, and people talk about Pedri,” he said. Then he pivoted to Messi, with whom he shared nine trophies at Barca, offering a controversial take: “It’s like if Xavi and Iniesta hadn’t played with Messi, Messi wouldn’t be what he is. Look at what happened when he went to PSG…”
Andres Iniesta (C) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring with his teammates Lionel Messi (R) and Xavi Hernandez during a Champions League game. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Jeffren Suarez’s time at Barcelona
A product of Barcelona’s famed academy, Suarez starred with Barça B, scoring 14 goals in 82 appearances before making his senior debut at 18 in a Copa del Rey win over CF Badalona.
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Former Atletico Madrid star believes Yamal will never be like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo
He remained with the first team from 2008 to 2011, logging 22 games and three goals while winning three La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, the 2010-11 Champions League, a Copa del Rey and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
A soccer journeyman
Now 37, the Venezuelan-born midfielder has lived a globe-trotting career since leaving Barcelona, playing for Sporting CP, Valladolid, Grasshopper (Switzerland), AEK Larnaca (Cyprus), NK Slaven Belupo (Croatia) and Lamphun Warrior FC (Thailand). He retired from professional soccer in 2022 and has since focused on personal projects.
Suarez also earned four senior caps for Venezuela between 2015 and 2016 and was part of Barcelona’s legendary Pep Guardiola era, collecting medals for nine of the 14 titles won during that period.
