The football icon admits that he can understand comparisons between him and the teenage Barcelona wonderkid after being asked to name a player from the new generation that reminded him of himself as a youngster.

Messi said at the event at Adidas' headquarters in Germany: "There's a very good generation of young footballers who have many years ahead of them.

"If I have to choose someone, because of the age and because of the future that he has, I've heard that they have chosen Lamine Yamal and without doubt [it's him] for me, too.

"I agree it depends on him and many things because that's how soccer is, but he's the present and without a doubt has a huge future."

Yamal came to the world's attention for his performance for Spain at Euro 2024 and Messi hopes he can lead a new era of glory at Barcelona.

The Nou Camp icon said: "I would love to see Barça win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and also the Champions League. And in the years that they don't, at least that it competes until the last moment."

Messi is now playing for MLS side Inter Miami and revealed how he has changed his approach to the game because of his reduced athleticism at the age of 37.

He told Fabrizio Romano on the 433 app: "I’ve changed my style of play because of the moment, the situation and my age.

"I am adapting a little bit to everything. I started reinventing myself and adapting to the league which, for me, was new.

"I felt very comfortable from the beginning."