‘Every time they see a left-footed winger’ – Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal explains why he will continue to ignore Lionel Messi comparisons

It is easy to see why teen sensation Yamal forms part of that discussion in 2025. At just 17 years of age, he is already a European Championship winner with Spain and the proud holder of prestigious Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards.

Records have continued to tumble around the youngster since he made his senior debut at 15. He stepped out of the same La Masia academy system that helped to put Messi - an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player of all-time - on the road to greatness.

Yamal is, however, reluctant to be placed in the same talent pool as Argentine idol Messi. He has told Mundo Deportivo: “Luckily, I’m not the first to have this happen to me. That means that it’s something that people have inside them every time they see a left-footed winger, or sometimes just when one is left-footed.

“I try to be myself. I always say that Messi is the best player in history and being compared to him means that you’re doing things right, but I try to be myself. I try to make my way and give everything for this shirt.”

While being eager to avoid comparisons to Messi, Yamal claims that being a superstar of any kind is not part of his long-term thinking. He went on to say: “I feel comfortable, which is the most important thing. Talking about stars or not stars, in the end it is about playing, and showing what you are.

“You don’t have to feel like a star, superior or inferior. It’s not necessary. The important thing is to be comfortable, to play for the team and for your team-mates to help you. That’s enough.”

Yamal is up to 83 competitive appearances for Barcelona, registering 18 goals along the way, and has helped the Blaugrana to reclaim top spot in La Liga while also making their way into the last 16 of the Champions League without the need for a knockout phase play-off tie.