Saviola: "When I saw Messi, I told my family
According to Mundodeportivo.
Context
Javier Saviola, who had a remarkable career at FC Barcelona, shared his memories about Lionel Messi, emphasizing the uniqueness of the Argentine's talent. The comparison with Lamine Yamal, who is starting his career at the club, highlights Barcelona's tradition of developing exceptional players, while highlighting the pressure that young talents face in La Liga.
Why this matters
Javier Saviola's words about Lionel Messi highlight the importance of recognizing the exceptional talent that the Argentine brought to FC Barcelona and La Liga. The comparison with Lamine Yamal, a promising young player, highlights the pressure young players face and the need to give them space to develop without excessive expectations.
Main conclusions
- Saviola: "When I saw Messi, I told my family.
- Javier Saviola praised Messi and advised calm with Lamine Yamal, remembering the first time he saw the Argentine star and underlining the need to avoid comparisons.
- Saviola: "When I saw Messi, I went home and told my family 'we are with a child'."
Javier Saviola opened the book on Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in an interview with the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, in which he spared no praise for his compatriot and left a message of caution regarding FC Barcelona's young promise. The former Argentine striker, who represented the Blaugrana in the early 2000s, told how he was immediately captivated when he saw Messi play for the first time at La Masia.
According to Saviola, it was Carles Rexach, a historic figure at the Catalan club, who insisted that he go and observe the young Messi, guaranteeing that he was facing someone “completely different from the others”. Confirmation arrived as soon as he saw him on the field: the Argentine did things that no one his age dared to try. “When I saw him, I immediately understood what Rexach was referring to,” he recalled. The impact was such that, upon returning home, he shared with his family a phrase that has gone down in history: "We are in the hands of a kid. If he continues like this, he will get very far."
Saviola also highlighted that Barcelona is a true hotbed of talent and that standing out in such a competitive environment means possessing something truly special. The path that followed for Messi, from his debut as a teenager to global recognition, confirmed that first impression: the Argentine number 10 would leave an unrepeatable mark in the history of the Catalan club and football in general.
The former Argentine international also took the opportunity to approach Lamine Yamal, the new jewel to come out of the culé formation. For Saviola, the winger is on the right path to assert himself among the elite, but asks for calm and rejects forced comparisons. “Yamal is still at the beginning and we shouldn’t put too much pressure on him”, he stressed, arguing that direct parallels with Messi should be avoided. From his perspective, they are different players, at different moments in their careers: “Messi has already left his mark on history; Lamine has his entire future ahead of him.”
Saviola's message is clear: protect young talents, allow them to grow with time and responsibility, and not crush them with the inheritance of those who have already reached the top. At Barcelona, where expectations are always highest and demands are permanent, managing Yamal's evolution will be decisive for his talent to flourish in a sustainable way.
By remembering the first impact with Messi and contextualizing the Yamal phenomenon, Saviola offers a privileged look at two generations from the same breeding ground. One that has already become eternal and another that takes its first steps on the main stage. Between reverence for the recent past and hope for the future, the warning is made: there is talent, there is potential and there is a path, but comparisons — especially with Messi — must be left out so that Lamine Yamal can write his own story.
What happens next
With the growing attention on Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona must continue to carefully manage his development, allowing the young winger to adapt to the demanding level of La Liga football. Saviola's experience can serve as a guide for Yamal's training and development, avoiding premature comparisons with Messi.
Frequently asked questions
What did Javier Saviola say about Lionel Messi?
Javier Saviola praised Lionel Messi, stating that, upon seeing him for the first time at La Masia, he realized that he was facing someone 'completely different from the rest'.
Who confirmed Messi's talent to Saviola?
Carles Rexach, a historic figure at FC Barcelona, was the one who insisted that Saviola watch Messi, ensuring that he was special.
Why did Saviola talk about Messi now?
Saviola commented on Messi and Lamine Yamal in an interview with the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, reflecting on their talent and
pressure on young players.
What changes does Saviola suggest regarding Lamine Yamal?
Saviola asks for calm regarding Lamine Yamal, suggesting that forced comparisons with Messi should not be made, as Yamal is still at the beginning of his career.
What is Saviola's opinion of FC Barcelona?
Saviola believes that Barcelona is a hotbed of talent and that standing out in the team means having something truly special.