Yamal sent UCL threat by rival 'Little Messi', 17 - 'I'll show I'm better'

Lamine Yamal has been warned by a rival wonderkid that he is going all out to better him in their Champions League showdown.

Barcelona take on Serbian side Crvena zvezda in the league phase of the competition on Wednesday evening. The Catalan side have enjoyed a positive start to the campaign after winning two out of their opening three games.

Key to that form has been young winger Yamal, who has a goal and an assist in the Champions League this season. But the 17-year-old - the recent recipient of the Kopa Trophy - has been warned by a rival teenager that he is out to prove he is an even bigger talent.

Speaking ahead of the game, Crvena zvezda starlet Andrija Maksimovic, also 17, has been reminiscing about his meeting with the Barcelona wonderkid at a youth tournament. As quoted by Mozzart Sport, he said: "Of course I remember that match.

“It was at the European Championship for us players born in 2007. Pau Cubarsi also played alongside Yamal. They are great. However, I don't have stage fright. All this was waiting for me one day. Champions League, our stadium. I want to show that I am better than Yamal.”

Like Yamal, Maksimovic is making waves with his early promise. The attacking midfielder already has two goals and four assists for his current side, while he has already made his full international debut for Serbia.

Maksimovic has also earned the nickname of ‘Little Messi’ in his homeland. Despite his promise, he has a huge task on his hand to outshine Yamal, who has already earned comparisons to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking earlier this month, Spain star Alvaro Morata said: “He’s got a very determined character. That’s hard to find in a person his age.

“He’s got a very clear idea about what he wants to do. He’s got a lot of personality and has everything in front of him. Honestly I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve never seen a player like it. One training session was enough to realise he’s different, that he’s one of the fenomeni.

“Every 20 or 30 years one or two emerge like Cristiano and Messi. For me, he’s got everything it takes to make history. I’m convinced that if he doesn’t become the greatest player in Spain’s history, he’ll definitely be one of them. He already made history with us by winning the Euro.

“He was 16 when the tournament started and I hope he keeps this up because he’s my team-mate, because he can make me win more things with the national team and because my kids want to meet him, get to know him, go watch the games and all that.”