Lamine Yamal, best in the world at… 17?

At 17, Lamine Yamal has already won the Euros, tormented world-class defenders, and shown why he’s football’s future.

In case you haven’t noticed yet, Lamine Yamal is built differently. The young prodigy has even found his name on Cristiano Ronaldo’s lips.

When asked about Yamal, Ronaldo himself admitted:

“I see huge potential, great talent. He’s doing something even newer than Messi. I believe he’s going to be the best of this new generation.”

That is high praise from one of the greatest footballers of all time, and Yamal is proving every word right with his performances on the pitch.

A New Star in Barcelona’s Legacy

Lamine Yamal is rapidly carving his place in Barcelona’s rich footballing history, but the ongoing debate remains: is he more like Barcelona’s version of Lionel Messi or Neymar?

While many are quick to label him as Messi’s heir due to his dazzling left foot and Barcelona DNA, a closer look might reveal that Yamal’s style mirrors Neymar’s creativity and flair more than Messi’s calculated brilliance.

This unique blend could make him an even bigger superstar in his own right.

The Early Signs of Greatness

It’s not hard to see why people initially dubbed Yamal the “Next Messi.”

The left-footed maestro, coming through La Masia, humiliating Real Madrid defenders at a young age—these are eerily familiar traits. However, what makes Yamal’s rise even more remarkable is his age.

Messi’s first true iconic moment came when he scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid at 19, becoming the youngest to do so in El Clásico history. Yamal, however, has already left his mark on multiple occasions before even turning 18. 

His stunning right-footed strike in Barcelona’s 4-0 win made him the youngest El Clásico scorer ever at just 17 years and 105 days.

His big moment came in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Barcelona ended Real Madrid’s 49-game unbeaten streak—thanks to Yamal’s stunning goal with his supposedly weaker foot. 

Months later, he produced another magical moment against Real Madrid in the Supercopa, combining a Messi-like goal with a Neymar-esque celebration.

The Unstoppable Rise of Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal has been tearing through defences this season, showing a level of skill, composure, and vision that is rarely seen at such a young age. Some of his performances have been nothing short of magical.

In the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Raphinha may have stolen the headlines with a hat-trick, but the real ones know Yamal was cooking all game. He had Alphonso Davies hesitant to make attacking runs, and his dribbling left Serge Gnabry helpless. 

Record-Breaking Talent

At just 17, Lamine Yamal has shattered records left and right. His achievements include:

• Youngest player to play for Barcelona in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Super Cup.

• Youngest player to play, score, and assist in La Liga for Barcelona.

• Youngest player to start and provide an assist in the Champions League.

• Youngest player to play and score at the Euros.

• Youngest player to win an international competition, dethroning Pelé’s record.

For context, Pelé was 17 when he won the 1958 World Cup with Brazil. Yamal achieved his feat at just 16 years old. Unbelievable.

From La Masia to the World Stage

Despite managerial changes at Barcelona, Yamal has continued to shine.

Xavi handed him his debut, recognizing his unique ability on the ball. Under Luis de la Fuente, he thrived with the Spanish national team, playing a crucial role in Spain’s triumph at the Euros, where he was voted Best Young Player of the Tournament.

As Didier Drogba humorously put it:

“At 17, I was struggling to catch a train in Paris. Yamal is picking up the Kopa Trophy.”

Even his teammates recognize his brilliance. Robert Lewandowski has been full of praise, acknowledging Yamal’s service and creativity on the pitch.

Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy has once again produced a generational talent, and as he continues to develop, the football world is eagerly watching. 

Rising Beyond Messi’s Shadow

At the same age, Messi was a promising talent but had yet to achieve significant statistical impact. In contrast, Yamal has already played a crucial role in Spain’s European Championship triumph.

His goal against France in the semifinals—dropping the shoulder, cutting inside, and curling a beauty into the net—was a true Messi-esque moment.

Yet, his style of dribbling and flair is where the Neymar comparisons come into play.

Evolution Under Hansi Flick

This season, Barcelona is under new management, and Hansi Flick has unlocked another level in Yamal’s game. Under Xavi, Barcelona was too predictable—funneling play through the wings to find Lewandowski.

Flick, however, has introduced a fluid attacking system, allowing Yamal more freedom. 

With this setup, Yamal is more dangerous than ever.

His dribble success rate (6.57 per 90 minutes) ranks in the 99th percentile in La Liga, proving how effective he is in one-on-one situations. The Barcelona attack is now unpredictable, giving Yamal more chances to shine.

Beyond Attack: Yamal’s Work Ethic

What sets Yamal apart from other young talents is his commitment off the ball. He doesn’t just dazzle in attack—he tracks back, fights for possession, and contributes defensively.

Flick’s high-intensity pressing system requires all players to work hard, and Yamal has embraced this challenge.

Despite a gruelling schedule, he has avoided long-term injuries, a testament to his fitness and conditioning. His only injury scare came during international duty, but he bounced back immediately, showing just how resilient he is.

Statistically, Raphinha may have better numbers, but Yamal’s impact on Barcelona’s gameplay is undeniable. There is a night-and-day difference when he is on the pitch. His ability to create chances elevates the entire team, much like Neymar did in his prime. 

His chemistry with Raphinha, seen in their connection through assists and link-up play, is reminiscent of Neymar’s partnership with Messi and Suárez.

The Next Lionel Messi? Or a Legend in His Own Right?

Comparisons to Lionel Messi are inevitable, but as Xavi and de la Fuente have stated, Lamine Yamal is writing his own story. While Messi is in a class of his own, Yamal has already accomplished feats at 17 that many legends never did at his age.

What makes him special? Simplicity. He plays with flair and intelligence, knowing when to pass, dribble, or shoot. His footballing IQ is beyond his years, and he plays with the same joy and passion as a kid in the playground.

He has taken elements from both Messi and Neymar but has blended them into something unique. He isn’t the next Messi or the next Neymar—he is Lamine Yamal.

Breaking Football

At 15, Yamal was a ball boy. At 16, he was scoring in the Euros. At 17, he’s breaking records weekly. The scary part? He’s just getting started.

Barcelona has produced some of football’s finest talents over the years, but Lamine Yamal might just be the most special of them all. Football’s future is here, and his name is Lamine Yamal.