La Liga pundit: Real Madrid star is ‘better’ than Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is regarded as one of the best wonderkids in European football but a Spanish journalist reckons Real Madrid have a youngster who is better than the Barcelona teenager. Yamal has starred with the Catalans ever since becoming their youngest ever debutant and goalscorer.

The 18-year-old has flourished this season, posting 11 goals and 12 assists in 26 games across competitions. He finished second in last year's Ballon d'Or race and was a key player in the Blaugrana's La Liga title win.

Madrid's main focus in strengthening their squad has been to target youth and that's seen several exciting talents arrive at the Estadio Bernabeu. That includes a player whom Alfredo Duro has made a bold claim.

Real Madrid youngster told he's better than Barcelona's Yamal

Franco Mastantuono arrived at Madrid from Argentine outfit River Plate last summer for €30m. The versatile attacker who can play on the right-wing and in attacking midfield took his time adjusting to life in La Liga.

But the 18-year-old has turned a corner as of late and put in some extremely impressive performances. He caught the eye in a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday after netting in a 6-1 thrashing of Monaco in the Champions League midweek.

Duro responded to his outing against Villarreal by making a huge claim. He said (via Madrid Universal):

"Franco Mastantuono is better than Lamine Yamal."

Mastantuono is midway through his debut season at the Bernabeu and still has room to grow but there's no doubt he looks like a superstar in the making. His creativity and quick feet have caught the eye and he's registered three goals and one assist in 21 games across competitions.

It is a big statement to make regarding the Argentina international being better than Yamal given what the Spanish winger has achieved so early in his career. But it speaks volumes of his impressive displays and he could be a major player for Alvaro Arbeloa's side in the La Liga title race.

Franco Mastantuono on Lionel Messi comparisons

There is equal excitement over Mastantuono and his future back home in Argentina. When he started lighting up the Argentine first division with River Plate, he earned comparisons to Barca legend Lionel Messi.

Some have gone as far to suggest the Madrid star is Messi's heir and can follow in the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's footsteps. But the teenage prospect has given a brilliant response to those suggestions (via Madrid Zone):

"I'm not the new Messi, but I'm not the worst signing in Real Madrid history either."

Mastantuono was in demand last summer when Madrid won the race to sign him, and it's clear the La Liga giants made the right decision. He is someone who the team could be built around in the long-term future but right now he is having an impact for Arbeloa's side.