FC Barcelona player Lamine Yamal is getting praised as one of the biggest football players in the world at such young age, but it seems that the star doesn't want to be compared to one of his idols
At the age of 17, FC Barcelona football player Lamine Yamal has been compared with the greatest players in the world, but it seems that the teenager is now asking people to stop comparing him with Messi. Here’s why.
At the match against Inter Milan on April 30 marked his 100th game with the club, the football star became the youngest player to ever score in a Champions League semifinal, previously held by Kylian Mbappé. As reported by Radio Times, the football star has scored 15 goals and 24 recorded assists in 49 games across all competitions in the 2024/2025 seasons for FC Barcelona.
Recently having won the 2025 Copa Del Rey title against Real Madrid (3-2) on April 26, the player and his teammates were beaten by Inter Milan on May 6, with a final score of 7-6, as they competed for a spot in the Champions League finals. Following the first-leg match against Inter Milan (3-3) on April 30 fighting off for the place at the finals for the Champions League, Lamine sat down to speak with the media.
Celebrating a milestone with the football team, the player marked two years since joining the club. A product of La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy that prepares aspiring professional football players, he was signed by the team at the age of 15. Since then, Lamine has become the topic of conversation, especially because of his talent on the pitch.
Lionel Messi is one of the biggest football players in history. As of April 2025, he has scored a total of 859 goals in 1,091 appearances. At the age of 37, he has played for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently for Inter Miami, as well as Argentina's national team.
When asked about Messi, Lamine told the reporters: “I don’t want to compare myself with anyone, and even less with Messi. That’s something I leave to you.”
He added: “I admire Messi a lot, so I don’t want to compare myself with the best player in football’s history. I still haven't spoken with him in person.” Compared to Lamine, Messi was 17-years-old when he made his professional debut for FC Barcelona's senior team.
Funny enough, Lamine was pictured with Messi as a baby, as part of a charity photoshoot in December 2007. Fast forward to 2025, Lamine is now rocking the number 19, which belonged to Messi from 2006 to 2008, before switching to the iconic number 10.
During an interview with Simplemente Fútbol, Messi had a few things to say about the new generation of football players: “Kids watch and imitate everything, they know everyone and follow everyone, the players they talk about are Mbappé, Vini Junior, Haaland, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.”
The Argentinian star was impressed with Lamine’s career and what he had already achieved at a young age. He added: “He’s already a European champion with Spain. He’s just 17, in the middle of a growth process, and will keep on growing and contributing, just as I did.” Messi didn’t hesitate to call him “one of the best players in the world.”
Nonetheless, Messi doesn’t seem to be the only one that’s impressed with Lamine’s skills at such a young age. During the match against Inter Milan on April 30, coach Simone Inzaghi spoke highly about him, after he managed to score a goal.
Lamine's skills left Inter's defenders struggling to remove the ball from him. He told Prime Video: “I’ve never seen a player like Lamine Yamal in the past 8-9 years. We had to put three on him, and obviously, spaces opened up elsewhere.”
Lamine is a star to watch out for, with a prosperous future ahead with many more milestones and titles to achieve. Having already won the 2024 Kopa Trophy as the best male player under the age of 21, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was the next Ballon d’Or title holder, which is one of the most prestigious awards in football.
The yearly-award is given to the best male footballer in the world, as voted by a panel of journalists. As of Lamine, while he's still underaged, his performance and outstanding skills suggest that he could potential be a Ballon d'Or candidate in the future.