Yamal: The Rising Star of Football

Yamal has experienced a remarkable year, having secured La Liga with Barcelona. Under the mentorship of Hansi Flick, he has significantly advanced his skills, establishing himself as the Blaugrana’s standout player and MVP both on and off the field. Furthermore, he has launched his own YouTube channel, which has gained over one million subscribers within just a few days.

Emerging from the prestigious La Masia academy, the Barcelona hierarchy exhibits a sense of pride as they monitor Yamal’s ascending success. The CIES Football Observatory has assessed the 18-year-old’s market value at an astounding €343 million (£297 million), surpassing notable players such as Erling Haaland (£221 million) and Kylian Mbappe (£174 million).

Interestingly, the only player ranked higher than Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé of PSG, has been surprisingly excluded from the top 100. Despite recently receiving the prestigious FIFA ‘The Best’ award, alongside his Ballon d’Or and triumphs in the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup, and French Super Cup, Dembélé’s position remains precarious. Reports indicate he may consider leaving PSG after a season marred by injuries, which have limited his appearances to just 15 in all competitions.

In the rankings provided by the Football Observatory, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise appears in fifth place, with other prominent names such as Florian Wirtz, Dembélé’s teammates Desire Doue and Joao Neves, Arda Güler, and Pedri rounding out the top ten. The youngest player listed is Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, aged 18 years and three months, while the oldest is 29-year-old Raphinha. This suggests that Dembélé’s absence from the top 100 is not solely age-related, but also influenced by his injury history and inconsistent form.

Conversely, Yamal’s trajectory appears to be upward. He is poised to lead Barcelona toward another Spanish title this season, with aspirations for both European and individual accolades. He has drawn comparisons to football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, yet he remains steadfast in his desire to carve out his own identity in the sport.

In a recent interview, Yamal remarked, “I have enormous respect for Messi, as he is a true legend of the game. However, I do not aspire to be him, nor does he wish for me to be his replica. My approach to football is centered on enjoyment, both for myself and the spectators. It is not merely about breaking records or accumulating goals.”

He echoed similar sentiments regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, stating, “It is more beneficial to focus on my own journey rather than draw comparisons. Icons like Ronaldo achieved greatness by being true to themselves and not measuring their worth against others. I aim to establish my own path.”

While Yamal has much ahead of him before he can be mentioned in the same breath as either of these footballing icons, his current trajectory is promising for one of the sport’s most exciting talents.