Barcelona`s thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals produced many memorable moments. A major highlight was Lamine Yamal`s outstanding display, proving he`s not just a future star but already one of the game`s current top players.
Yamal was central to Barcelona`s strong attacking performance, registering four shots and setting up two chances as the hosts found the net three times. The 17-year-old had a significant individual moment, scoring in the 24th minute with a showcase of brilliance that initiated Barcelona`s comeback from being 2-0 down. This performance, like others before it, left many observers speechless, including football legend Thierry Henry.
Thierry Henry, speaking on the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show, expressed his amazement. “What I witnessed tonight from Lamine Yamal… it`s not normal to be like that at 17,” Henry stated. He elaborated, praising not just Yamal`s on-ball skills but his awareness, composure, game vision, and defensive effort. “It`s just not normal,” Henry repeated, adding astonishment about Yamal`s already 100 games played at such a young 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 assertion that Yamal is exceptionally advanced for his age. In his first 100 club games, he has recorded 50 goals and assists (22 goals, 28 assists). This tally is close to Lionel Messi`s 56 (41 goals, 15 assists) at the same career stage and significantly surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo`s 27 (13 goals, 14 assists). Crucially, both Messi and Ronaldo reached 100 games at an older age than Yamal; by Yamal`s current age, Messi had played only seven senior games for Barcelona.
Beyond his impressive record, Yamal`s game is marked by entertaining skills, which he considers a signature part of his playing style.
In an interview on the same post-match show, Yamal commented on his style: “I like playing in a way that other people enjoy.”
Yamal`s early career trophy collection is also notable. He has already contributed significantly to silverware, playing a key role in Spain`s win at last year`s Euros (youth tournament) and recently helping Barcelona secure the Copa del Rey. With Barcelona leading in La Liga and still in the Champions League, a treble remains possible, in which case Yamal would be a deserving recipient of further honors. He is increasingly establishing himself as a top player, potentially stepping into the void as Messi and Ronaldo approach the end of their storied careers.
Henry continued his reflection on emerging talent. “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],” he stated. “And then Yamal arrives, and then you have a new guy in Argentina, [Franco] Mastantuono, who plays for River Plate, already winning that derby game on a free kick against Boca Juniors. 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.” Henry reiterated his astonishment at Yamal`s age: “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?
To conclude the interview, Henry mentioned he planned to be in Barcelona for El Clasico in May and hoped to get Yamal`s jersey for his son. Yamal readily agreed, but in turn, requested that Henry bring him one of his own legendary jerseys, expressing that a Barcelona or Arsenal shirt would both be welcome.
Dominic Ashworth