Barcelona's 17-year-old forward Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal on his 100th appearance for the club in the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, adding to his impressive record since his debut at age 15. Yamal's trajectory surpasses even that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at similar stages in their careers.
Yamal has already won a European Championship with Spain and a La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Super Cup with Barcelona. The stats show he is on a faster upward trajectory than both Messi and Ronaldo at the same age. Yamal's 22 goals and 27 assists for Barcelona, along with four goals for Spain, are impressive numbers, especially considering he made his international debut later than Messi and Ronaldo.
Former Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel finds Yamal's rapid rise unusual but notes that it is too early to compare him to Messi. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague describes Yamal as "completely fearless."
Yamal's upbringing and personality are different from Messi's. While Messi was cautious and reserved, Yamal is outgoing and jovial. His parents' separation allowed him more freedom to express himself, leading some to compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yamal has moved out of the Barcelona residence and bought an apartment near the training ground. Balague describes Yamal as "a legend" in his hometown.
Despite Yamal's early success, there is debate about whether he can emulate Messi's longevity at the top level. Balague notes that maintaining such a high level for 15 years requires consistency, luck, and a strong mentality.
Some believe that Yamal could lead a new Barcelona dynasty, following in the footsteps of the Messi-era team built around La Masia talent. Former La Masia coach Pau Moral is excited about the prospect of more young stars coming through the system.
Source: BBC Sports Football
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