A rival LALIGA boss has now suggested that a certain FC Barcelona star can reach Lionel Messi's level.
Girona suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Catalan giants on Sunday, with 17-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal getting on the scoresheet twice to help his side to victory.
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The young Spaniard now has now accumulated three goals and four assist in five league encounters so far this season to help his side to first position on the table, four points ahead of Atletico Madrid and rivals Real Madrid.
His most recent performance saw him receive high praise from Red and Whites boss Michel, who regards the teenager as one of the best players in the world.
"Lamine is a difference-maker," he told reporters in a post-match conference, per Barca Blaugranes.
"For me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age.
"It is difficult to imagine that after Messi another [like him] would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he's a player than can reach that level."
Lamine Yamal currently holds the record for the youngest player ever to feature for Barca in a competitive fixture, while also being the youngest ever to have scored a LALIGA goal for the side.
He is now en route to breaking another record held by teammate Ansu Fati. The 21-year-old scored 11 league goals for the side before his 18th birthday.
The 17-year-old, meanwhile, currently has eight LALIGA goals, and is expected to equal and break Fati's record given that the star will only turn 18 in July next year.
The Barca academy product is also the youngest player ever to have provided a UEFA Champions League assist, doing so during last season's campaign at the age of 16 years and 153 days.
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Lamine Yamal and his Barca side's next challenge will come in the prestigious continental competition, when they take on French outfit AS Monaco in their 2024/25 UCL opener on Thursday night.