Barcelona and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has expressed his desire to carve out his own path, distancing himself from comparisons with Lionel Messi. Yamal believes such comparisons are unfair, emphasising that it’s nearly impossible to reach Messi’s level. Already making waves in the football world due to his standout performances at Barcelona from a young age, becoming the youngest-ever scorer in LaLiga last October, Yamal’s reputation soared even further this summer. His performances were instrumental in helping Spain clinch the 2024 European Championship.
In addition to being a breakout star in the tournament, Yamal set another record by becoming the youngest player to appear at a European Championship, debuting in the group stage against Croatia. Speaking to Antena 3, Yamal said he likes that he is being compared to some one like Messi but it would be impossible to reach his level in football.
“I like that they compare me to the greatest player in the history of football, but I want to be myself,” Yamal told Spanish TV station Antena 3 when asked about being talked about alongside the Argentina World Cup winner. “Reaching Messi’s level is impossible.”
Yamal’s meeting with Messi happened at an early age when he had a photoshoot with the Argentina legend in 2007, when he was just 6 months old. While Yamal admitted that Messi may have passed along some of his powers to him, he felt that he had a lot to give in the sport.
“Man, he passed along some of his powers to me,” Yamal said. “I still have a lot to give.”
Hope I never have to leave Barcelona
Yamal has been with Barcelona since his childhood and made the senior team debut at the age of 15. The Spanish forward is hoping that he will never have to leave the club and expressed his interest in becoming a legend at the club.
“I hope I never have to leave. I want to be a legend,” he said.
Barcelona and Yamal have had a perfect start to the new LaLiga campaign, having won all their matches so far and being at the top of the table.