Lamine Yamal delivered a truly remarkable performance in Barcelona`s 3-3 draw against Inter during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. His display was so impactful that it demonstrated he is not merely a promising future star, but already one of football`s elite talents.
Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona`s attacking prowess throughout the match, registering four shots and creating two scoring opportunities as the team netted three goals against Inter. A key moment for the 17-year-old came in the 24th minute when he scored a goal showcasing his individual brilliance, igniting Barcelona`s fightback after falling behind 2-0. This performance is the latest in a series that has left many observers astounded, including football icon Thierry Henry.
`What I witnessed tonight from Lamine Yamal … it’s not normal to be like that at 17,` Henry commented during the post-match show. `I’m not talking about what he does when he’s on the ball, his awareness, how calm he is, how he sees the game, the way he will defend, put pressure. It’s just not normal. We talked about the 100 games that he already has at that age. It’s just stupid, really. I don’t even know what I’m watching, what I’m witnessing, but he played like a man possessed, and when I say `a man,` he’s not even a man yet, technically. It’s just not normal.`
Statistics support Henry`s assessment that Yamal is playing at an extraordinary level for his age. In his first 100 senior club games, he has accumulated 50 goals and assists (22 goals, 28 assists). This tally is close to Lionel Messi`s record of 56 (41 goals, 15 assists) at the same career point and significantly surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo`s 27 (13 goals, 14 assists). Crucially, both Messi and Ronaldo reached their 100-game milestones at much older ages than Yamal, with Messi having played only seven senior matches for Barcelona by the time he was Yamal`s current age.
Beyond his impressive numbers, Yamal`s entertaining style of play is a trademark he embraces.
`I like playing in a way that other people enjoy,` Yamal stated in an interview on the UEFA Champions League Today post-match program.
Despite his youth, Yamal has already played a significant role in notable trophy successes, contributing crucially to Spain`s victory in last year`s Euros and Barcelona`s recent Copa del Rey win. Should Barcelona achieve a potential treble this season, Yamal would be a deserving recipient of further accolades. He is increasingly being recognized as one of the game`s top current players, potentially stepping into the void as Messi and Ronaldo near the end of their illustrious careers.
`One thing that always amazes me in football is you always think that there’s no way that someone is going to be better [than Messi or Ronaldo]` Henry reflected. `And then Yamal arrives, and then you have a new guy in Argentina, [Franco] Mastantuono… That’s why football is amazing. There is a guy that soon, maybe in two to three years, that we’re going to talk about that’s not already on the scene, but it’s crazy to think that a guy – he’s 17 years old. [At] 17 years old, I made my debut, I think. It’s just crazy what he’s doing. It’s just not normal, but look, it’s great to see that there’s a new guy coming, a new guy on the block that looks like he might be dominating, and I wish that for him. Let’s not put him under pressure and say he should be on the throne or whatever.`
Jersey Swap Moment
The interview concluded with a lighthearted exchange. Thierry Henry mentioned his plan to be in Barcelona for El Clasico in May and expressed his desire to obtain Yamal`s jersey for his son. Yamal readily agreed but humorously counter-requested one of Henry`s own shirts in return, adding that it didn`t matter if it was a Barcelona or Arsenal jersey.
Dominic Ashworth