Simply three seasons of standard soccer with Barcelona have been sufficient for Lamine Yamal to ascertain himself as one of many brightest stars on the earth at simply 18 years previous. His speedy rise continues to impress followers and former gamers alike — together with one Barcelona icon who lately likened the younger winger to Lionel Messi.
“What a participant — did you see final weekend when he got here on? His first motion, unbelievable. What a distinction, eh?” mentioned Ronald De Boer in a current interview with talkSPORT Breakfast, referring to Yamal’s efficiency in his minutes in opposition to Actual Sociedad in La Liga.
“This man’s unbelievable. Week in, week out, unbelievable,” added the previous Dutch midfielder, who performed for Barcelona between 1998 and 2000. “Being among the best gamers within the Euros, and so forth. It’s unbelievable. So yeah, the place does this finish? I don’t know.”
De Boer was then requested whether or not it made sense to match Lamine to Barcelona legends like Johan Cruyff or Lionel Messi. “They need to do as a result of his numbers are unbelievable,” he replied with out hesitation. “Messi most likely didn’t even do, didn’t rating at this age, possibly a aim, and what he’s already exhibiting and giving — assists, targets, and being essential.”
Former Barcelona participant Ronald De Boer.
Yamal’s speedy rise
No matter private preferences or future expectations, it’s plain that Lamine Yamal has risen to stardom even sooner than Lionel Messi, who additionally started enjoying at a really younger age.
see additionally
Lamine Yamal and Pulisic matched by Argentina rising star in document feats, regardless of nationwide crew snub
Yamal turned 18 this summer season and is already Barcelona’s prime star, sporting the enduring No. 10 jersey for the primary time this season. He’s additionally a key participant for the Spanish nationwide crew, with whom he received the Euro 2024 title. On prime of that, he completed second within the Ballon d’Or voting, simply behind Ousmane Dembele.
The Yamal-Messi comparability
Yamal’s exceptional achievements even surpass what Messi had completed on the identical age. By the point he turned 18, Lamine had already performed 105 matches, scored 24 targets, and received 4 titles with Barcelona. With Spain, he had recorded 21 appearances and 6 targets.
Messi, in distinction, was simply getting began. Earlier than turning 18, he had scored just one aim in 9 official appearances for Barcelona and performed a secondary position within the 2004–05 La Liga title — his first as knowledgeable. With Argentina, Leo hadn’t even made his debut by the point he reached maturity.
