Barcelona’s young forward, Lamine Yamal, has expressed that he does not aspire to be the next Lionel Messi. Instead, the 18-year-old is determined to forge his own identity in the sport.
Yamal has frequently drawn comparisons to the legendary Messi, particularly given that both hail from Barcelona’s youth academy, play on the right flank, and share certain stylistic traits. Despite being second in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting—an award Messi has won an impressive eight times—Yamal is keen to clarify that he wishes to be recognized for his own achievements.
In an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Yamal anticipated questions regarding these comparisons and stated, “I respect him. Ultimately, it’s about what he has accomplished and his influence on football. If we ever meet on the field, I’d have mutual respect for him, as he is the greatest of all time.”
Yamal acknowledged that while he respects Messi greatly, he wants to create his own legacy, saying, “I don’t want to be Messi, and he understands that.” He also pointed out that although he recently took over the iconic No. 10 jersey, he aims to play differently than Messi and will not try to emulate him.
While Yamal is celebrated for his dribbling, he emphasized his proficiency in passing, illustrated by a recent assist for Dani Olmo during Barcelona’s match against Alaves that secured them the top spot in La Liga. “Interestingly, I wasn’t much of a dribbler as a child. I admired Messi’s unique passing ability; he had a phenomenal vision of the game.”
Although Yamal and Messi have yet to play against each other, a potential clash may occur at next summer’s World Cup, with both Spain and Argentina qualifying.
As current champions, Argentina is favored to defend their title in the tournament set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, Spain is also seen as a strong contender after winning the European Championship, powered by the talents of the young Yamal. When asked about his hopes for the World Cup, he responded with enthusiasm and confidence: “Very high.”
Yamal’s immediate aspirations for Spain are clear as he affirmed, “Yes,” when asked if he believes Spain could take home the trophy.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it underscores the emergence of a fresh talent in Yamal, who aims to break free from Messi’s shadow. Fans will be keenly watching how his unique style influences the global stage, particularly with the World Cup on the horizon.
