• Yamal often compared to Barca great Messi

• Petit thinks he's developing even quicker

• Hailed him as one of the best in the world

WHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal’s rise at Barcelona has mirrored that of Messi, but his acceleration has surprised even seasoned observers. Not only is he a double La Liga champion, but he also already boasts a European Championship title with Spain, accolades that place him among elite company even before turning 18.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Statistically, Yamal’s early output dwarfs what Messi managed during his own formative years at the club. By the time Messi wrapped up his first season as a 17-year-old, he had just one goal and no assists in La Liga. Yamal, in contrast, has already accumulated 14 goals and 22 assists in Spain’s top flight before celebrating his 18th birthday.

TELL ME MORE

In the Champions League, Yamal has contributed an additional five goals and six assists, becoming a decisive figure on the European stage. For comparison, Messi didn’t reach five Champions League goals until the age of 20, and he hadn’t logged five assists in the competition until he was 21. However, by that time, he was a Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or recipient.

WHAT PETIT SAID

In making comparisons to Messi, former Arsenal and France star Petit was unequivocal in his assessment. In an interview with talkSPORTBET, the World Cup winner said: "Yamal is the most valuable player on the planet. He is the reason why you spend money to watch games in person but also on TV, every time he touches the ball something happens. He has vision, technique, and so much creative ability and he’s only 17. There are few words to describe him, he is ahead of Lionel Messi when he was at the same age."

Petit believes Yamal is already delivering the kind of performances expected from players at the pinnacle of the sport.

"He is always making a difference in the big games, 99% of the time, he is delivering what you expect from the biggest players in the game, and he is only 17," he said. "I hope he can go on to have a career like Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he has such maturity at 17 and he has his own way of doing things in the press and on social media."

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the most celebrated campaigns by a 17-year-old came from Michael Owen, who scored 18 goals and registered 10 assists during the 1997–98 season for Liverpool. His 28 goal contributions had stood as a benchmark for youth talent, but Yamal comfortably beat that mark last season with 38 goal involvements for Barca across all competitions.

WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL & MESSI?

After a historic campaign, where he was instrumental in helping Barcelona clinch the La Liga crown, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, Yamal is currently enjoying a much-deserved break. Meanwhile, Messi is busy playing in the Club World Cup with Inter Miami and is expected to start again when the MLS outfit take on Portuguese side Porto in their second group game. (GOAL)