"We can start comparing Lamine Yamal to Messi when he plays in a World Cup"

Colombia national team mamanger Francisco Maturana believes a player cannot be considered a great of the sport if he hasn't played a World Cup. "Where did Pele, Maradona, Messi become famous? All in a World Cup," said Maturana in an interview with 'EFE'.
For this exact reason, the former player said it would be "bold" to compare Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal to the players mentioned above. "A World Cup is a fantastic path. Messi, Maradona, Jairzinho, Pele, Ronaldinho? Is there a top player that hasn't played in a World Cup?" Maturana questioned.
Despite being at the centre of the stage during the 2024 Euros last summer - registering 5 goal contributions including a goal in the semi-final - Lamine Yamal can only enter conversations along the likes of Maradona, Pele and Messi once he has played in a World Cup, according to the 75-year-old.
Speaking on young players in general, Maturana emphasised the importance of taking things "slowly," insisting that nowadays "a player only feels like a player because of what he's told". Only 17, Yamal will aim to make his debut in the 2026 World Cup with Spain, as European qualifiers are set to begin in March 2025.