Laporta: Yamal must forge his own legacy as Barcelona target trophies and identity

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Lamine Yamal is a “genius” with exceptional technical ability, but believes the teenager’s maturity and understanding of football at such a young age set him apart from Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff.

Laporta was speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf while in New York for the third edition of a Johan Cruyff memorial event, which is due to take place in the US city on Saturday.

The event follows previous editions hosted in Sitges and comes before a tribute match for the Ajax and Barcelona great at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday. Legends of both clubs will take part in the fixture, which is being held to mark the 10th anniversary of Cruyff’s death.

The friendly in Amsterdam will raise money for the Barca Foundation and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

Laporta, who gave the interview shortly before travelling to New York, discussed the historic relationship between Barcelona and Ajax, as well as the inevitable comparisons involving Cruyff, Messi and Yamal.

“At Barcelona, our ambitions are always to fight for every trophy,” he said. “Those expectations are deeply rooted in our history and identity. Our objective is to remain in contention until the final moment in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.”

However, Laporta said silverware was not the club’s only measure of progress.

“Success is not measured by trophies alone,” he added. “The way we play is also hugely important. We want a team that reflects our footballing identity through attractive, attacking and brave football, so that our members and supporters can feel proud.”

Yamal, Messi and Cruyff comparisons

Laporta identified the development of young players and the continued promotion of talent from La Masia as key measures of the club’s project. Messi and Yamal were cited as examples of players who graduated from the academy.

He accepted that comparisons between the three players could not be avoided, but stressed that each belonged to a different era and had a distinct identity.

“Each of them is unique and belongs to a different time,” Laporta said. “Lionel left his mark on an entire generation, while Johan changed the history of football and Barcelona.”

He added that Yamal deserved the opportunity to write his own story and establish his own legacy.

“He is a genius and an exceptionally gifted player, with astonishing technical ability, creativity and an outstanding capacity to dribble past opponents,” said Laporta. “What makes him even more special is his maturity and understanding of the game at such a young age.”

Laporta said Barcelona were immensely proud that a player of Yamal’s ability had emerged from La Masia and represented the club’s values, identity and footballing philosophy.

“Our responsibility is to protect him and support him throughout his development, while providing the right sporting environment around him so he can fulfil his enormous potential,” he said.

“As club president, I feel extremely proud of Lamine, both as a footballer and as a person.”