At simply 16 years outdated, the identify on everybody’s lips, from the bustling streets of Catalonia to the far reaches of the footballing world, is Barcelona’s La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal.
This electrical younger attacker has taken each home and worldwide soccer by storm, leaving an indelible mark that belies his tender age.
His meteoric rise started in April when, at a mere 15 years and 290 days outdated, he made historical past because the youngest participant ever to grace the hallowed pitch for the Blaugrana.
He additionally grew to become Champions League’s second-youngest participant within the competitors’s storied historical past, surpassed solely by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko.
September noticed him sprinkle his magic on the Spanish nationwide group, turning into their youngest-ever participant and goalscorer, saying his arrival with an unforgettable substitute look in a 7-1 thrashing of Georgia.
As if that weren’t sufficient, the wunderkind scribed his identify within the La Liga report books because the youngest goalscorer within the league’s storied historical past, courtesy of a objective in opposition to Granada.
A exceptional feat for a participant who’s but to finish a full skilled season, the world now gazes upward, considering simply how excessive this proficient ahead’s star will rise.
Born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mom, Yamal’s twin heritage sparked debates about which nationwide group he would select to signify.
The curtain has fallen on that debate as he proudly dons the Spanish jersey, profitable two senior caps and incomes reward from Spanish nationwide group supervisor Luis de la Fuente.
“We met him in Barcelona. He was a stalwart of Spain’s youth teams and is a footballer with exceptional power,” De la Fuente stated in September, earlier than Yamal’s worldwide debut. “He looks like he has been touched by the wand of God. He is different. We look at the level of the player, not the age. He is ready to compete at the highest level. He is a very important asset for the future.”
De la Fuente’s effusive reward doesn’t cease there; he has likened Yamal to legends like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
As a end result, the media highlight now fervently follows this burgeoning expertise, poised to develop into one of many sport’s future icons.
Messi comparability curse
Yet, traversing the realm {of professional} soccer amid such lofty reward, particularly being in contrast with La Pulga, might be perilous.
The path from Barcelona’s famend La Masia to stardom is suffering from potential pitfalls.
Ansu Fati as soon as hailed as a prodigy like Yamal, serves as a poignant reminder as he sought refuge within the Premier League’s Brighton to rebuild his profession.
Nonetheless, there may be an equally inspiring narrative of youth merchandise ascending to greatness, exemplified by present Barcelona stars Pedri and Gavi.
For Yamal, who has referred to as the membership house for the reason that age of seven, per FIFA information, his journey is guided by a seasoned supervisor who is aware of the trajectory from academy gem to membership legend.
Xavi, a legendary determine in Barcelona’s historical past, treads cautiously when evaluating Yamal to previous greats.
“I hope Lamine can mark an era, but we are not doing him any favors saying that,” Xavi acknowledged, emphasizing the big expectations the teenager carries. “But let us see what the future holds without comparing him with Messi. It has not gone that well for all the players that have been compared with Messi in the past.”
Undeniably, comparisons to Messi are inescapable, given the placing similarities of their types.
Yamal, just like the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, reveals an uncanny capacity to make the correct determination, with a flip of tempo that leaves defenders in a state of bewilderment.
Though slight in stature, he possesses a exceptional knack for eluding bother, and his physique feints look like borrowed from Messi’s bag of tips.
Yet, he’s a participant in his personal proper, performing with a perpetual smile, shouldering the burden of lofty expectations with grace and poise.
Unsurprisingly, Barcelona are keen to maintain its newest prodigy shut.
In a convincing show of their religion in Yamal’s potential, he lately penned a contract that binds him to the Nou Camp till June 2026.
The deal options an astronomical buyout clause of 1 billion euros, roughly $1.05 billion, underscoring the membership’s unwavering perception in his capability to develop into one of many world’s premier skills.
Source: www.dailysabah.com