Lamine Yamal is likely not the world`s best player yet. The mere fact that this even needs stating about a footballer under 18 highlights his exceptional, almost unbelievable talent. As the crucial final phase of the season approaches, the coming weeks could see Yamal solidify his position as a top contender for the title of the sport`s next dominant force, potentially inheriting the mantle after Lionel Messi.
Regardless of age, Yamal`s performance statistics this season are remarkably impressive. In La Liga especially, he has been a standout player. He leads the league in assists with 12, three more than his closest competitor, Raphinha. He also surpasses his teammate in expected assisted goals (xAG), a metric that measures the quality of chances he creates for others. When it comes to delivering the ball into high-danger areas, Yamal is unmatched in frequency. He has completed 83 passes into the penalty area, significantly more than Pedri, who is second with 68. He also leads the league in goal-creating and shot-creating actions. His statistical dominance is extensive.
Simply put, no player in the Spanish top flight this season has been a more effective creator than the 17-year-old.
A similarly strong argument can be made regarding his ball progression. Yamal is crucial in helping Barcelona advance into attacking zones where he excels. He leads La Liga in successful dribbles and is second only to Vinicius Junior in both progressive carries and carries into the penalty area.
However, it`s not just his incredible statistical percentile rankings that excite a small group (including this writer). What truly amazes most observers are the moments of brilliance that defy his age. It occasionally seems as though the young player from Rocafonda has absorbed the entirety of football history, intuitively knowing the correct decision in complex situations without needing to learn through the usual process of repeated errors.
Consider his goal against Borussia Dortmund in the 4-0 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win earlier this month, a strike that further compounded their defeat. Receiving a pass from Raphinha, he appeared to instantly grasp that his slightly heavy first touch would invite Ramy Bensebaini to challenge for the ball. He had no time to take another touch and shoot, and attempting to push the ball wide past the defender would likely narrow the shooting angle and lose momentum. In a fraction of a second, Yamal determined the optimal play was a precise toe poke, guiding the ball past Gregor Kobel, who could only watch in admiration. This from a 17-year-old.
Beyond that, there are numerous examples of his skillful play: delicate chipped passes to the far post and exquisite crosses with the outside of his boot – a particularly memorable one being a stunning 40-yard delivery that set up Raphinha for a clear scoring chance. Many more moments occur as he accelerates down the wing. Even seasoned professionals rarely replicate the way Yamal routinely whips the ball across the box. His ability to do this also demonstrates a developing tactical awareness of how opponents try to defend him. If defenders try to prevent him from cutting inside to shoot and instead force him down the line, he still finds ways to exploit the situation using his preferred foot, delivering dangerous crosses or passes.
Given these accomplishments, one might ask what prevents him from being a Ballon d`Or contender right now. At present, it`s his goal tally. While 14 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions is a respectable return, especially paired with 22 assists, his shooting stands out as the area where his youth is most apparent. He exhibits a common trait among young wingers: attempting ambitious shots regardless of the difficulty (perhaps fueled by confidence from spectacular goals he *has* scored). This results in numerous attempts that are, frankly, quite optimistic.
There`s little doubt that a player with his remarkable composure and fast development will refine this aspect of his game relatively quickly. Many coaches agree that it`s simpler to teach a player to *stop* taking low-probability shots than it is to encourage a hesitant player to shoot more. With an average of 4.19 shots per 90 minutes, generating 0.31 expected goals (xG) in that time, Yamal certainly doesn`t lack the willingness to shoot.
A slight increase in goals and a reduction in low-percentage shots are perhaps the main adjustments needed for Yamal to become a truly elite attacker. This progression could realistically happen by the time he finishes his teenage years. This naturally prompts questions about how he measures up against the sport`s historical legends. Is he performing better at this age than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo did?
It`s impossible to definitively say. During his age-17 season, Lionel Messi was primarily a spectator as Frank Rijkaard`s Barcelona team dominated La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo didn`t turn 18 until after his move to Manchester United, where he captured Sir Alex Ferguson`s attention. Even other early breakouts like Kylian Mbappé and Wayne Rooney were typically showing glimpses of brilliance rather than consistent dominance at this precise age. By his 18th birthday in July, Yamal could potentially have accumulated 5,000 La Liga minutes, played 24 Champions League matches, and possibly won league and Champions League titles, in addition to potential Euro 2024 honors.
To find players who were achieving anything truly comparable to Yamal`s level at such a young age, one would need to look into the early careers of legendary South American footballers. Ronaldo Nazário was already devastating defenses for Cruzeiro, Diego Maradona was earning the nickname “El Pibe de Oro” (The Golden Boy), and Pelé was setting major tournament records that Yamal might aspire to equal.
Naturally, it will take close to two decades to determine if Yamal ultimately belongs in the same historical discussion as these legendary figures. While their careers were exceptional, players like Wayne Rooney and even the Brazilian Ronaldo to some extent illustrate the potential challenges and pitfalls that can affect highly talented players. Furthermore, one must consider the physical strain that accumulating so many senior minutes at such a young age could place on a player`s body.
Being on the verge of becoming a world-class player at just 17 is remarkable, but sustaining that elite level for fifteen years, as the true icons of the sport have done, is an entirely different challenge. Fortunately, Lamine Yamal certainly has time on his side.
Dominic Ashworth