Lamine Yamal is already starting to make waves, kind of like Lionel Messi did back in the day, at least according to one Barcelona legend. This 17-year-old prodigy is gearing up to take the field for Spain against France in the UEFA Nations League. Both teams are vying for a shot at the final against Portugal in Munich, which should be quite the showdown. You might remember last year when Yamal really burst onto the scene during the UEFA European Championships. He played a huge role in helping Spain clinch the trophy after a thrilling victory over England. That jaw-dropping goal he scored in the semi-finals against France? Yeah, it snagged the title of Goal of the Tournament, and he was named the best young player, too. Talk about a debut! He’s carried that incredible form into this season with Barcelona, racking up 18 goals and 25 assists while helping the team secure a domestic treble. His performance at such a young age has inevitably drawn comparisons to Messi, who, as we all know, has a legendary list of achievements—including eight Ballon d'Ors, four Champions League titles, and ten La Liga trophies. Now, is it a bit too soon to directly compare Yamal to one of football’s all-time greats? Maybe. But there’s no denying that his talent has caught the eye of the football community. Could he be the "new Messi"? Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, recently shared his thoughts on Yamal during a chat with BBC Match of the Day. He made a pretty interesting comparison between Yamal and Messi, and it all comes down to the excitement he brings to the fans. "Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club and, for me, the best player ever," Deco said. He went on to explain that while comparing players can be tricky, Yamal has that same spark that could lead him to make history like Messi did. "He's a different kind of player," Deco added, "the kind that gets everyone buzzing when they see him on the pitch. Those players, they make you want to buy a ticket and watch them live." Deco also mentioned that they knew Yamal was special from the moment he joined the team two years ago. But you never really know how a young player will handle the pressure at the highest level. And Yamal definitely proved himself during the Euros, helping his national team to victory. This season, he’s taken it up a notch with Barcelona, showing his skills in big matches and how he's matured as a player. "It’s not typical for a 17-year-old to perform like this," Deco said, "but we’re incredibly lucky to have him. It’s just unbelievable."
So, as Yamal prepares to face France, you know he’ll be looking to show everyone just what he can do. And let’s not forget the subplot here—he’ll be going head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, who's currently a favorite for the Ballon d'Or after PSG’s Champions League win. Should be a match for the ages!
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