Gabriel Jesus says Lamine Yamal has many of Neymar’s qualities and has emerged as the player he has most enjoyed watching in recent years.
The Brazilian forward has been impressed by his new Barcelona team-mate during his first month in Catalonia, after choosing to leave Arsenal following a difficult 12 months in which he fell down the pecking order.
Jesus opted to depart the Premier League champions in search of a fresh challenge in LaLiga. At Barcelona, he is expected to be used as part of a rotating attacking group alongside Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.
However, it is the 19-year-old La Roja player who has made the strongest impression on Jesus.
“Neymar is the most virtuoso footballer I’ve ever played with, he could do everything with both feet. For me, he’s untouchable, nobody compares to him,” Jesus said.
“But it’s true that Lamine Yamal has some of his qualities, like his dribbling and personality. He’s still very young, but he does things like a mature player, as if he were 30 years old.”
Jesus believes Yamal’s development has continued at pace, with the forward becoming increasingly influential despite his age.
“He’s a genius who improves every year and becomes more and more of a genius,” he added.
Yamal’s performances have also led to discussion about the Ballon d’Or, although Jesus said he was uncertain how the award’s criteria should be assessed.
“I don’t like to talk about the Ballon d’Or, because I don’t know if they reward a player’s talent, their performance, or titles,” said Jesus.
“But Lamine Yamal is the player I’ve enjoyed watching the most for years.”
The teenager has won almost everything this year, according to Jesus, who believes that record makes him the leading contender for the individual prize.
“This year he’s won almost everything. So, for me, he’s the favourite.”
