At the age of 16, midfielder Lamine Yamal has become a mainstay at Barcelona and the Spanish national team. This is a rare case, as most players only start playing a major role after the age of 18.
Not only did Yamal appear, he also achieved many successes. Last summer 2024, he helped Spain win Euro 2024. After that, the Barca midfielder also became the youngest player to be nominated for the Golden Ball award.
Yamal's talent has amazed many, including coach Cesc Fabregas. He did not hesitate to praise the 17-year-old talent as the most talented player at the moment, according to ESPN: "I would like to mention Lamine Yamal because of the impact he has made. He has special talent and quality, I also see the freedom and the way he expresses himself on the pitch. It is wonderful to see his creativity."
The former Barcelona midfielder highlighted what makes Yamal different. He continued: “I think this is the sign of a great player, of a very mature player. And what I like most is that he feels like he is just playing on the street. Everything is so simple for him. His mind is always free.”
Rising from a young age and also playing for Barcelona, Yamal's comparisons with Messi are no surprise. The 17-year-old himself admires the Argentine, but insists he wants to forge his own path.
Fabregas commented: “I can understand those comparisons. Although I don’t like comparisons, there are many signs in Yamal that remind you of Messi. The excitement they bring is the same. Like Leo, he stands up when the team is in trouble.”
