Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has made controversial remarks about Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, upsetting Barcelona fans and Yamal supporters.

Capello, who has coached many football legends, claims he understands the game well enough to predict Yamal’s future success but warns against premature comparisons to once-in-a-generation talents like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

“Extraterrestrial genius is something else. No, I don’t believe Yamal will reach the level of Leo Messi or Maradona. Their brilliance was unique,” Capello said.

Capello continued: “But I’ve been in football long enough to recognize that this boy will become a star and win the Ballon d’Or. My point is that we shouldn’t get overly excited too soon. He won’t reach Messi or Maradona’s level because he doesn’t have their genius.”

Capello’s comments come as Yamal himself has stated in interviews that he does not want to be compared to Lionel Messi. He wants to be remembered in football history as Lamine Yamal, not constantly compared to a legend like Messi.