“He passed along some of his powers to me, I still have a lot to give” - Lamine Yamal on being asked about reaching Lionel Messi’s level
Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal recently opened up about comparisons with Lionel Messi, suggesting that the Argentine passed the baton to him upon leaving the Catalan giants. The Spaniard has been a revelation for both club and country ever since making his debut in 2023.
Yamal became the youngest scorer in La Liga history last October (against Granada in a 2-2 draw) and was instrumental in helping Spain win Euro 2024. In seven outings, the Spaniard recorded four assists and scored a spectacular left-footed curler to equalize against France in the semi-final.
Talking to Spanish TV station Antena 3, Lamine Yamal stressed the importance of carving out his own identity amid the rampant comparisons with Lionel Messi. However, he was quick to point out that he didn't think reaching Messi's level was possible.
"I like that they compare me to the greatest player in the history of football, but I want to be myself. Reaching Messi's level is impossible," Yamal said.
Lamine Yamal's first brush with the Argentine icon happened when he was just six months old. After winning a contest, he was featured in a 2007 photoshoot with Lionel Messi for a charity calendar in association with UNICEF. Talking about that photoshoot, Lamine Yamal quipped:
"Man, he passed along some of his powers to me. I still have a lot to give."
Yamal has had a prolific start to his 2024-25 campaign with Barcelona, scoring once and assisting four times in as many games in La Liga.
Among them was an inch-perfect lofted assist to Robert Lewandowski against Real Valladolid (in the 24th minute) that drew rampant comparisons with Lionel Messi. Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 in that game on August 31, with Yamal recording two assists.
Comparison between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal's first two seasons for Barcelona
Lamine Yamal has kept the statisticians on their feet ever since making his debut for Barcelona on April 29, 2023, against Real Betis at just 15. Comparing his statistics with those of Lionel Messi in their first two seasons for the club brings up some groundbreaking revelations (via GiveMeSport).
For starters, Messi was 17 years old when he made his debut for the Catalan giants - two years older than Lamine Yamal. Lionel Messi was used sparingly by the management in his first two seasons, recording just 34 appearances compared to Yamal's 64.
Lamine Yamal also beats the Argentine legend in terms of goal contributions, recording a total of 26 G/A in 64 appearances. In comparison, Messi had just 14 G/A in his first two seasons across all competitions.
However, Messi leads the pack in terms of trophies won. Barcelona won La Liga in two consecutive seasons since his debut (2004-05 and 2005-06). They also won the Champions League in 2005-06, though Messi was suspended in the final.
In comparison, Yamal only won the La Liga in 2022-23 with the Catalan giants.
The two are slated to lock horns for the first time when Copa America 2024 champions Argentina play against Euro 2024 champions Spain in the Finalissima, the date of which has not been announced yet.