Lionel Messi recently named Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal when asked which player from the current generation reminds him of his younger self. At the early age of 17, Yamal has risen to become one of the most significant players for the Catalans.
Much like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal rose from the ranks of Barcelona’s famed academy, La Masia. The Spaniard made his senior team debut at 15 in a LaLiga match against Real Betis in April 2023. In 71 outings for La Blaugrana across competitions, Yamal has contributed 13 goals and 21 assists.
His impressive performances, exceptional dribbling skills, and precise ball control have often led pundits and fans to compare him to Lionel Messi at Barca. The 17-year-old is also a right winger – a position Messi has often excelled at in his career.
During an Adidas-sponsored event this week, a fan asked Lionel Messi to name a player from the current generation who reminds him of his younger self. The Barcelona legend did not hesitate to name Lamine Yamal and said (via Managing Barca on X):
“The new generation of young players is very good and has many years ahead of them. Well, I heard about Lamine Yamal, without a doubt. It depends on him, and also other things, to be consistent. But he is already part of the present and, without a doubt, he has a huge future ahead of him.”
Three years after his departure, Messi is still considered the greatest Blaugrana legend of all time. The Argentine legend has left an unparalleled legacy at the club in his 17 years of tenure (2004-2021), winning a club record 35 titles with the Catalan side. In 778 outings across competitions, Messi recorded 672 goals and 303 assists.
“Reaching Messi’s level is impossible” – When Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal made honest claim about Lionel Messi comparisons
In a September 2024 interview with the Spanish TV station Antena 3, Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal was asked about being compared to Lionel Messi. The 17-year-old said (via ESPN):
“I like that they compare me to the greatest player in the history of football, but I want to be myself. Reaching Messi’s level is impossible.”
Earlier this year during the 2024 Euros, childhood pictures of Lamine Yamal with a young Lionel Messi went viral on the internet. Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui shared the images on his Instagram while the Spain international was shining for his country in the Euros.
The pictures date back to 2007 when photographer Joan Monfort shot Messi with a baby Yamal for a collaboration of UNICEF and Barcelona. Football fans have been in awe of the photoshoot since then as Yamal would one day go on to become one of the rising superstars at Messi’s boyhood club Barcelona.
The 17-year-old has a long way to go before coming close to Messi’s levels, but he seems to have a promising future ahead.