Football, like any other sport in the world, is blessed. Great teams, marvellous football, and moments of individual brilliance have all been present in our era of football. Yet there is an uproar in the footballing world. Lamine Yamal, at the mere age of 17, has joined the likes of Messi, Pelé, and Mbappé as teenage prodigies who shook the world, and Lamine Yamal seems to be a better, more experienced version. A scarier version.
In an era of robotic and dull football, Yamal revives its soul, with beautiful, dazzling, and mesmerizing play that tears apart both the defence and the capitalist structure of the game. In a world heavily reliant on stats and data, where players are investments and systems prevail over individual skill, Lamine Yamal is different. A player who disrupts the machines with raw joy, flair, unpredictability, and instinct. Watching him play is a sight of joy; watching him take on defenders brings sheer happiness. Eduardo Galeano once said that football had been castrated by technocracy, that the essence of dribbling was being lost—yet he also believed football wouldn’t be entirely stolen by the capitalists, and Lamine Yamal is proof of that hope.
A story of resilience, from hardship to glory. Lamine Yamal’s grandmother, like many, made the courageous decision to migrate to Spain, to Barcelona, with Lady Fate smiling upon her. By chance or destiny, they settled down right next to an academy of FC Barcelona. Lamine Yamal later entered it, starting his journey in football. Just like his grandmother overcame the hardships of life, Yamal too rose through the ranks—from local pitches to academy grounds, to La Masia, and eventually stepping onto the sacred grass of Camp Nou at 15 years and 290 days, making him the youngest player to debut for FC Barcelona’s senior team. Lamine’s rise is a story of hope, carrying the dreams of generations before him.
At a young age, Lamine Yamal was a record-breaker. Any awards related to being the youngest to ever do it were claimed by Lamine: youngest player to debut for FC Barcelona, youngest player to record an assist in La Liga, youngest player to score for the Spanish national team, youngest player to appear in a UEFA Champions League knockout match—who else but Lamine Yamal to break these records? What the likes of Mbappé and Ronaldo did, Lamine did better—and earlier. Along with the records he broke, he amassed a ridiculous number of trophies and marvellous performances. Winning the Euro with Spain, two La Liga titles, and playing a pivotal role in Flick’s Barça. Individual trophies were also grabbed ferociously by Yamal. At just 17, he has already collected a stunning array of accolades, including the Golden Boy, Kopa Trophy, UEFA Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament, and multiple La Liga monthly awards—cementing his status as the most electrifying teenage talent of his generation. His influence extends beyond just numbers, he has become a cultural icon, inspiring young players across the world to be as expressive as he is. Social media erupts after a Barcelona match, or a Lamine Yamal match, his dazzling skill seducing the lovers of the sport.
A blend of raw creativity, explosive speed, and flair possessed by the Brazilians—that’s how Lamine Yamal plays. He taunts the opposition with skills resembling his idol, mixes it up with a cut inside or a trivela straight to Raphinha, or does it single-handedly with a strike straight to the top corner. The tools he has at his disposal can't be enumerated—he’s unpredictable. And even if it ever becomes predictable, who is going to stop him?
One would think he was a veteran of the game, with the way he handles the taunts, aggressiveness, and pressure. He carries himself with such maturity that you start to wonder, “Aren’t I 18 too?”
There have been comparisons to both Neymar and Arjen Robben. Although Neymar is right-footed and Yamal is left-footed, their gameplay seems strikingly similar. The Zidane turns, roulettes, stepovers, quick feet, and overall flair look very much alike, which is expected, as Neymar is the one Yamal idolizes. The comparisons to Arjen Robben are also justified, especially with the recent ways he’s been scoring goals. The way he cuts inside and tries a finesse finish—it has Robben written all over it. You know what he’s going to do, but it’s unstoppable.
Robben was unstoppable. Lamine Yamal will be too.
He hasn’t even reached 20 yet, but he’s already immensely influential—a key member of both the Spanish national team and the Barcelona squad. Under Hansi Flick, he’s worked wonders, dazzling the Catalan crowds with magnificent dribbling and stunning shots. Hansi Flick is creating a monster, much like the one Pep once did. And with his supporting cast being players like Lewandowski, De Jong, and Raphinha—veterans with great experience—they can offer invaluable guidance to Lamine Yamal in continuing his legacy.
He has flourished under Luis de la Fuente as well, winning the Euro with consistent, groundbreaking performances against the likes of Musiala, Mbappé, and others. The next challenge awaits—the 2026 World Cup. A step that Pelé and Mbappé conquered at a very young age. It will be a tough battle for Lamine Yamal, yet a promising one. Luis de la Fuente has built a strong squad to chase glory on American soil, but Messi remains.
Lamine Yamal isn’t just another teenage sensation who fades away—he is here to dominate, to fight for the title of “The Greatest of All Time.” He is a beacon of football’s true spirit in an era dominated by stats and commercialization. From witnessing the likes of Ronaldinho, then Messi, and now Lamine Yamal—we, Barcelona fans, are truly blessed. The entire world will be a witnesses. Witness to the next era of football, led by the great Ryan.