Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been told what he needs to ignore in order to fulfil his potential and justify comparisons with Lionel Messi.
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Records being shattered by youngsterHas been starring for club & countryLooking to emulate iconic ArgentineGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
At just 17 years of age, the record-breaking teenager has become a senior star in Catalunya and Euro 2024 winner with Spain. Yamal is already being billed as a Ballon d’Or winner of the future, but has been given important advice from club colleague Marc-Andre ter Stegen when it comes to scaling such heights.
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Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper has told of Yamal’s meteoric rise: “We have to give credit to [former head coach] Xavi, who is the one who gave him the opportunity. There's something special about him. I hope he keeps his feet on the ground, that he doesn't listen to the praise and thinks about the moment, that he continues to work for the team. He still has room for improvement, he is very young, he is just starting. He has also grown physically. Lamine knows that he can count on me for anything he needs.”
Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Yamal rubbed shoulders with Barca icon Messi when just a baby and has followed down the same path as a fellow La Masia academy graduate. Ten Stegen is reluctant to put the pair in a similar talent bracket just yet, adding on his legendary former Argentine team-mate: “You can't compare them. Of course we miss Leo. As a footballer he is unique, you can see him in every game, always staying at the highest level. He is the best of all time.”
WHAT NEXT?
Yamal has already taken in over 50 appearances for Barcelona and 14 for the Spain national team. He registered seven goals for the Blaugrana last season and will be hoping to better that return in the 2024-25 as he prepares to rejoin that fold under new head coach Hansi Flick.