World Cup winner ‘would pay money’ to watch Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal – with Emmanuel Petit claiming teenage star has already ‘got everything’

At just 17 years of age, La Masia academy graduate Yamal is already a Liga title winner and European champion with Spain. He has picked up a useful habit of breaking records and rewriting the history books, while also claiming prestigious individual honours such as the Golden Boy award.

Inevitably, given the path that he has trodden to this point, Yamal has earned comparisons to former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. He is eager to talk up his quest for superstardom, with the plan being to become a Ballon d’Or-winning icon in his own right.

Ex-Barca midfielder Petit can see Yamal becoming a great. The Frenchman told TNT Sports when asked which player in the modern era excites him the most: “It’s Lamine Yamal, 17 years old. He does things on the pitch incredibly. He’s having a great season so far with Barcelona, he won a big trophy last season with his national team, he was probably the best player during a European tournament – 17 years old.

“This guy, I would pay money to watch him. He can play right-footed, left-footed, he can dribble with both feet, so it’s impossible. And on top of it, he’s so dynamic, you know? With his feet, he’s quick, he’s fast and he always makes the right decision with the ball. On top of that, he’s got the vision, the intelligence, the movement, he’s got everything at 17 years old already.”

Yamal has already taken in 73 senior appearances for Barcelona and 17 with Spain. He has been nursing a knock of late, which brought his 2024 to a premature conclusion, but is working his way towards full fitness once more as the Blaugrana prepare to open 2025 with a Copa del Rey clash against Barbasto on Saturday.