A decade has passed since Barcelona last graced the Champions League final, a journey then illuminated by the brilliance of Lionel Messi. Now, as the Catalan giants prepare to host Inter Milan in a highly anticipated semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday, they pin their hopes on another generational talent: the electrifying 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, their undeniable ‘X-factor’.
At his peak, Messi delivered a mesmerizing two-goal masterclass in the 2015 semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, a performance that paved the way for Barcelona’s treble triumph. While Yamal is still refining his finishing touch, his raw talent and creative spark are widely seen as the key to unlocking the team’s potential success this season under the guidance of Hansi Flick.
Operating with the freedom to roam from the right flank, a familiar sight reminiscent of Messi’s earlier years, the left-footed Yamal has become the catalyst that provides Flick’s brilliant Barcelona with a crucial edge. His impact was vividly on display in their thrilling Clasico Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid on Saturday, where he masterfully set up two of Barcelona’s three goals.
However, this was no isolated incident. Throughout the season, Yamal has consistently showcased his exceptional abilities, amassing 14 goals and 24 assists, alongside countless moments of breathtaking invention, genius, and flair � building on his impressive performances for champions Spain at Euro 2024 last summer.
Flick’s attacking Barcelona has captured the imagination of fans, and Yamal is undeniably a central figure in this captivating style of play. In the heart of Barcelona, the prevalence of replica Yamal No. 19 shirts is a testament to his meteoric rise. On matchdays, a sea of these shirts floods towards the Olympic stadium, a stark contrast to the once ubiquitous Messi No. 10 jerseys of years past. Yamal’s rapid ascent means this is his first season donning the No. 19, making his impact even more remarkable.
The tantalizing prospect of Barcelona lifting the Champions League trophy also throws Yamal’s name into the Ballon d’Or conversation. Such a feat would have been scarcely imaginable just two years ago when former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez handed him his debut as a mere 15-year-old against Real Betis in LaLiga. While a flicker of intimidation was perhaps understandable as he stepped onto the towering Camp Nou stage, it proved to be a fleeting moment. Since then, Yamal has displayed a remarkable composure and unwavering confidence.
“I’m surprised by how incredible the (young players’) mentality is,” Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo marvelled last week. “They are so calm… these kids from La Masia, it’s surprised me a lot.” Even Yamal’s mother admitted to initial anxieties, stating, “My mum is afraid for me when I start, but she supports me a lot.” Yet, those nerves quickly dissipated, and despite his youth, Yamal swiftly shouldered significant creative responsibility for the team while still only 16. His stellar performances for Spain at the Euros in Germany, where he turned 17 the day before the final, further cemented his burgeoning star status.
“We have seen a genius, the work of a genius,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente gushed after Yamal’s stunning goal against France in the semi-finals. He has now become indispensable for Barcelona, who have visibly struggled in his absence from the starting lineup this season. While Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha lead the goal-scoring charts, many of their opportunities are directly or indirectly a result of Yamal’s brilliance � whether through his dangerous in-swinging crosses or his incisive dribbling that dismantles opposition defenses.
“Lamine Yamal… he’s like Messi. Does he surprise me? No. Everyone knows how good he is, he can dribble past anyone,” former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde remarked earlier this season. The parallels are undeniable, even dating back to a remarkable photograph from 2007 showing a baby Yamal being bathed by a then 20-year-old Messi for a charity calendar. However, Yamal himself remains grounded. “Messi is the best player in history, and being compared to him means I’m doing things right, but I try to be myself,” he stated in February.
As Barcelona stand on the cusp of a return to the Champions League final, the weight of expectation rests partly on the young shoulders of Lamine Yamal. If he can guide them to European glory, the comparisons to Messi will only intensify, potentially ushering in a new era of Catalan dominance spearheaded by a prodigious talent drawing echoes of the past.
