Lamine Yamal: More Than Just the “Next Messi”
The comparisons to Lionel Messi are inevitable — the Barcelona shirt, the left foot, the dribbles that defy logic. But perhaps the most exciting thing about 17-year-old Lamine Yamal is that he’s not Messi. He might be something entirely new.
A few years ago, the football world debated if Messi was the greatest athlete of all time. Now, with Yamal’s emergence, we’re entering a new phase of wonder: what exactly are we watching?
The Stats: Outproducing Teenage Messi
By raw numbers, Yamal has already surpassed what Messi achieved at the same age:
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Lamine Yamal at 17: 11 La Liga goals, 17 assists, 5 Champions League goals, 5 Champions League assists.
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Lionel Messi at 17: 1 La Liga goal, 0 assists.
That’s a 37-goal contribution gap — and Yamal isn’t even 18 yet.
In fact, only Mohamed Salah has more total goal contributions in Europe this season. It’s not just promising — it’s unprecedented.
A Different Type of Greatness
Yamal isn’t the world’s best player — yet. But he’s doing things few players ever have.
Stat models place him in the top 10 in Europe for total on-ball value — behind only names like Salah, Mbappé, and Dembélé. That includes ball progression, passing, and creation — areas where most teenage stars don’t dominate.
Where Kylian Mbappé and Michael Owen were poachers at his age, Yamal is already a system unto himself. A creator. A connector. And that might be just as valuable.
The One Weakness: Shot Selection
If there’s one clear area for growth, it’s finishing.
Yamal has taken 119 shots this season, which should’ve yielded about 7.9 expected goals. He’s scored six — and not due to bad luck. He shoots from difficult positions far too often.
Among all European players with 60+ shots, Yamal ranks second-worst in expected goals per shot. His instinct is to shoot from distance or tight angles, something even Messi avoided.
But here’s the upside: his passing numbers are elite. He’s one of only two players with over 80 carries and 80 passes into the penalty area — alongside Salah.
If Yamal refines his decision-making, he could become both creator and finisher.
The Real Risk: Overuse and Injury
Yamal is on pace to hit 8,000 minutes before turning 19 — something no teenage outfield player has ever done in the modern database.
That stat alone is historic — and concerning. Football history is littered with teenage stars who burned bright and faded early: Michael Owen, Ansu Fati, Pedri.
But others have endured: Eduardo Camavinga, Wayne Rooney, César Azpilicueta.
Only time will tell.
Conclusion: A Star in His Own Right
In Sunday’s Clásico, Lamine Yamal will share the field with Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Bellingham, and Lewandowski. And he might still be the most intriguing player there.
He’s not Messi. He may never be.
But maybe that’s not the point.
Maybe Yamal is something the sport hasn’t seen before — a player whose brilliance lies not in comparison, but in his singular path.
And maybe, that makes him even more fascinating.
