Yamal: I Can’t Believe I’m Standing in the Shoes of Neymar and Messi
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s young star, admits that standing in the same position as Neymar and Lionel Messi is unbelievable for him.
According to reports, Yamal, with 14 goals and 22 assists this season, has not only secured a permanent spot in the starting lineup but has also become Barcelona’s primary hope for winning the treble. The first step in this journey will be taken on Saturday night in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
Yamal’s outstanding performance has created renewed excitement among fans. His jersey is one of the best-sellers in the club’s official store, and his name echoes repeatedly at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. He himself is amazed by this widespread response.
In an interview with ESPN, during a promotional campaign titled ‘The 304,’ which refers to his childhood neighborhood in Rocafonda, he said: “It’s unbelievable. When I was a kid, I wore Neymar and Messi jerseys. Now I see kids wearing my jersey, which means I’ve become an inspiration to them… at least in football!”
“I never thought everything would happen so quickly. Seeing 13-year-old boys wearing the jersey of someone just four years older is incredible. My mom always reminds me that this doesn’t happen to everyone—that you go somewhere and see someone wearing your jersey. It’s one of the things that makes me really happy.”
Yamal, born in Mataró, made his debut for Barcelona at just 15 years old in April 2023. In less than a year, he not only secured a place in the senior team but also achieved significant success at the national level.
He has now won the Euro 2024 with the Spanish national team, added the Copa Trophy and Golden Boy awards to his collection, and recently won the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year award at the prestigious Laureus Awards.
Yamal concluded: “My parents were always my role models. Everyone says I have some of my mom’s personality and some of my dad’s. On the field, I’m more like my dad; off the field, I’m more like my mom. They taught me everything and fought for me. My dad’s affection is indescribable. I learned from him how to love family. I owe everything to them, and I always say I can never fully repay them, but I’ll try my best as much as I can.”
