Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal has expressed admiration for Lionel Messi but made it clear he isn’t trying to emulate the club legend, as his team prepares for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
The 17-year-old winger has become a standout figure on the right flank which is the same position where Messi shone for years and is drawing inevitable comparisons, especially with both players emerging from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
Barcelona last reached the Champions League final in 2015, with Messi playing a pivotal role. Now, Yamal hopes to lead the current squad back to the same stage.
“I don’t compare myself to anyone — and certainly not to Messi,” Yamal told reporters on Tuesday. “Our focus is on constant improvement, striving to be better every day.”
He emphasized that such comparisons aren’t helpful: “With Messi, the comparison doesn’t make sense. I just want to enjoy myself and stay true to who I am.”
Yamal didn’t hide his admiration for the Argentine icon, calling him “the best player in history,” but reiterated his focus remains on forging his own path.
If he starts against Inter Milan at the Olympic Stadium, Yamal will mark his 100th appearance for Barcelona across all competitions — a remarkable milestone for a teenager.
Fresh off a standout performance in the Copa del Rey final, where he assisted twice in Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid, Yamal is now aiming to help the team toward a possible quadruple this season.
“This is my first European semi-final and I’m really excited,” he said. “A lot of us are experiencing this for the first time.”
As for nerves? “I don’t feel fear. I left fear behind in the park back in Mataró. What I feel now is motivation — the butterflies in your stomach that remind you how much this means.”
Advertisement
