Lionel Messi has called the current Barcelona side under manager Hansi Flick ‘spectacular’ as youngsters like Lamine Yamal shine.

Messi, 37, was just 17 when he broke into the Barca side and went on to score 672 goals for the club.

This season under Flick Barca have regularly fielded 17-year-old Yamal, defender Pau Cubarsi (17), and young midfielders Pedri (21), Gavi (20), Fermin Lopez (21) and Marc Casado (21).

“It makes me proud to see how the team is represented now. This Barca is spectacular,” Messi said in an interview with Catalan television TV3 on Friday.

Messi and other members of his great Barcelona team like Andres Iniesta and Xavi were themselves products of the club’s famed training system.

“This happened when I arrived at the club at age 13,” Messi said. “I think it is great that these kids have had these chances over the past couple of years.

“When you give them the opportunity and show them confidence, they respond in this fashion because they know the club better than anyone and know how the team wants to play. Good things are happening just like with the previous generation.”

“It’s an honour that the best player here from Barca’s history says this and that he follows how the team is playing and how the young players are doing,” Flick said.

“You see his whole heart is with this club and it means a lot for us and this team.”