Lamine Yamal: Carving His Own Path in Football

Lamine Yamal, the forward for Barcelona, has clarified that he does not aspire to be the next Lionel Messi. Instead, the talented 18-year-old is focused on forging his own path in the world of football.

Yamal has frequently drawn comparisons to the legendary Messi, who recently led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup final. Both players emerged from the Catalan club’s academy, play on the right flank of the attack, and exhibit similar playing styles. However, Yamal, who secured second place in this year’s Ballon d’Or—a title Messi has won eight times—asserts that he wishes to avoid such labels.

“I anticipated the question,” Yamal remarked during an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes when asked about the Messi comparisons. “I respect him greatly for what he has accomplished in football. If we ever meet on the pitch, there will be mutual respect between us, as I believe he is the greatest in history.”

He continued, “He understands that I am my own player, and I want to carve my own niche in the sport. I have no intention of mimicking his style or wearing the No. 10 shirt, which was synonymous with his legacy.”

Coincidentally, Yamal inherited Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt this summer, but he emphasizes that his playing style is distinct. While his dribbling skills are often highlighted, it is his passing ability that he takes the most pride in—evident from his assist to Dani Olmo during Saturday’s 3-1 La Liga victory over Alavés, a win that lifted Barça to the top of the table.

“Interestingly, I didn’t focus much on dribbling as a child,” he shared. “I was a prolific scorer and had a good vision for the game. While observing Messi, I admired how he executed different types of passes, particularly those that seemed to lead directly to goals. This intrigued me more than just dribbling alone. I also learned from players like Luka Modric, who approached the game in a clever manner.”

Though Yamal and Messi have yet to meet on the pitch, there is potential for that to change at the upcoming World Cup, where both Spain and Argentina have qualified.

Currently, Argentina enters the tournament as reigning champions and favorites, while Spain, buoyed by their recent European Championship win, looks to make a strong showing led by the talented Yamal.

“The expectations are very high,” Yamal stated when discussing the World Cup. “It has been a long time since Spain was considered a serious contender, and the nation is buzzing with excitement. I feel confident and important heading into this tournament.”

When asked if Spain will win the World Cup, Yamal confidently replied with a simple affirmative, saying, “Yes.”