Lamine Yamal can replicate Lionel Messi's achievements and "make history" with Barcelona after signing a new contract, believes sporting director Deco.

Last week, Yamal put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him in Catalonia until 2031, having entered the final 12 months of his previous contract.

Yamal registered 18 goals and 21 assists in all competitions last season as Hansi Flick's side won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana, though they lost 7-6 on aggregate to eventual runners-up Inter in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Remarkably, Yamal led the charts in LaLiga for assists (13), shots from outside the area (67), big chances created (28), shots following a carry (56), chances created following a carry (35), throughballs (33) and dribbles completed (161) in 2024-25.

Reports in Spain have suggested the 17-year-old will become Barca's highest-paid player if he meets certain performance-related clauses in his new deal, and Deco feels he deserves that honour.

And while he stopped short of directly comparing Yamal to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, Deco does believe the winger will write his name into the club's history books.

"Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club, for me, the best player in history," Deco said in an interview with BBC Sport.

"Everyone becomes crazy when they see Lamine playing football, you would pay to go watch him in the stadium, he's special and he wanted to stay because he believes in the project. 

"He deserves an improved salary. He's going to be one of the best players in the world. We need to respect him as a player, but not forget he is 17 years old.

"It's not easy to compare, but Lamine, in terms of quality, can make history like Leo. But of course, to make history, he needs to have a good team behind him."

Deco also revealed last week that discussions were ongoing over a new contract for midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with Eric Garcia also reportedly in line for a new deal.

Barca have been linked with moves for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Liverpool wideman Luis Diaz, and though Deco admitted to admiring both players, he said the club's first focus is to retain their title-winning core.

The former Portugal midfielder continued: "We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we'll discuss players to come.

"Of course, these two players, like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won't speak because it's not fair. 

"But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don't need to bring many players.

"When I speak with the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. So this is important. The image of the club is still good. 

"We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come."