Barcelona and Lionel Messi are inextricably linked names, with the Argentine icon’s legacy deeply embedded in the Blaugrana colors. Since emerging from the La Masia Academy. The forward has established himself as the club’s greatest player in its history, amassing countless awards, titles, goals, and assists with his brilliance.
Messi demonstrated his excellence while donning the iconic number ten jersey, immortalizing its significance as it became synonymous with his legendary status at Camp Nou. Now, Barcelona’s young sensation, Lamine Yamal, is being hailed as the heir to his idol, Lionel Messi, as he follows in the footsteps of the Argentine.
Lamine Yamal likely to earn Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey
Lamine Yamal joined the club in 2014 at the age of 7, and ascended through the club’s youth ranks, culminating in his breakthrough into the first team. The winger made his senior debut against Real Betis at the age of 15 in April 2023 and subsequently became the youngest La Liga starter in a match against Cádiz CF.
Following his record-breaking campaign, Yamal’s exceptional talent has drawn comparisons to Barcelona’s six-time Ballon d’Or winner. The 16-year-old’s pacy left foot, flair, dribbling skills, and scoring ability resemble Messi’s. He has already managed 40 appearances for the club, contributing 15 goals so far.
The La Masia product, Lamine Yamal, is seen as a potential replacement for the legendary Lionel Messi, who left the club in 2022 to join PSG. Since then, the Spanish outfit has struggled to fill the void left by his departure, especially in finding someone capable of carrying the weight of the club’s iconic number ten jersey.
Ansu Fati had the number ten, but injuries hindered his ability to fully rise to the challenge despite high expectations. Another Spanish prodigy is next in line to acquire the unclaimed iconic shirt number. He has shown his potential as a deserving candidate for the number, traditionally reserved for the best player on any team.
Lamine Yamal is prepared to face any challenge ‘that involves playing’
The Spanish sensation is breaking records for both club and country. After showcasing his club, it didn’t take long for him to earn his first call-up and international cap for Spain, even scoring his first goal for his country within the same year at just 16.
Currently, Lamine Yamal is on duty with the Spain senior team for the March international break, with upcoming fixtures against Colombia and Brazil. He has become a regular for the national team and is expected to be included in the squad for Euro 2024 in Germany and, most likely for the Summer Olympics as well.
While discussing his participation, the teenager stated, “European Championship and the Games? For me, anything that involves playing is good. Whatever comes is fine, but first, we’ll focus on the European Championship.”
“Well, in the end, it all depends on the individual. There’s a lot to consider. It’s something that could happen, but I am ready for any opportunity to play,” he added. Despite the club not favoring his participation in the Paris Games, he expressed his strong desire to play.
Will Lamine Yamal be able to reach the level of Lionel Messi one day? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
