According to reports, while Lionel Messi used to silence his rivals quietly, Yamal does it with noise and sometimes by creating controversies. Whatever it is, comparisons with the Argentine superstar are inevitable.

Barcelona’s winger, who has become a key player for both the Catalan club and the Spanish national team, reached 100 appearances for Barça in the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan.

This young star’s gift to himself was delivering his best performance yet in a Barcelona shirt during that match. These statistics are astonishing for a player who has broken numerous age-related records and is chasing the Ballon d’Or in a season where Barcelona dreams of a treble (La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey).

In the pre-match press conference, Yamal was asked about criticism labeling him as “cocky” or “arrogant.” Barcelona’s star, who is a regular starter under Hansi Flick at Barça and Luis de la Fuente for Spain, gave a response that shook the room: “As long as I’m winning, no one can say anything to me. When I lose, then they can talk.”

This was a direct and challenging message to his rivals, but equally honest. The problem for Lamine Yamal’s opponents is that he doesn’t just talk off the pitch—he backs it up on the field.

After the Copa del Rey final, where he provided two assists, he said: “Before the final, I told Araujo: if Real Madrid scores one goal against us, it doesn’t matter. If they score two, still nothing. This year, they can’t beat us. We’ve shown that.”

We hit Real Madrid the hardest

Yamal told Sport magazine in mid-March: “We are the favorites to win the Champions League. When the group stage ended, I said Liverpool were favorites because they were top. Now that they’re out, it’s Barça. We’re the team that hits Real Madrid the hardest.” With the Copa del Rey won, leading La Liga, and reaching the Champions League final, time seems to have proven him right.

He says: “At my age, few players have played this many games for Barça, and I’m proud of that. What matters most is the mindset that’s kept me motivated, my consistency, and the level I’ve reached at 17—because not everyone can do this. I’ve never been afraid, but I’m always highly motivated before games. I left fear behind long ago in Mataró Park (his hometown).”

The change Euro 2024 brought

The shift in Lamine Yamal’s mentality this season, following his standout performances at Euro 2024 with Spain and his independence from La Masia by living in an apartment near Barcelona’s training ground, is evident.

He lives there with his cousin and a close friend, while Barcelona keeps a close eye on him. He also spends considerable time with his father in Sarrià. Success with Spain boosted his confidence, placed him among the world’s best, strengthened his position in Barcelona’s locker room (despite his age), and marked a historic step in his career.

A pivotal moment in his career came during Euro 2024. France’s Adrien Rabiot tried to psych him out before the semifinal, saying: “We want to take Yamal out of his comfort zone. If he wants to play in the final, he’ll have to do more than he’s done so far.”

But Yamal, then just 16, was mature enough to respond. By scoring, leading Spain’s comeback, earning Man of the Match, and securing a spot in the final (which Spain won), he proved his words had weight.

His crucial role at Euro 2024, amplified by wingers’ importance in Luis de la Fuente’s system, made him a global sensation. As Muhammad Ali once said: “If you can back it up, it’s not bragging.”