Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal in awe of Lionel Messi – ‘No player can do that’ | OneFootball

Following a tremendous 2024 that saw him win the prestigious Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award, Lamine Yamal is being held as the next big thing at Barcelona since Lionel Messi.

Comparisons with the Argentine have become quite common now, with many expecting Yamal to become the face of Barcelona in the years to come.

In a recent feature with Adidas, Yamal has offered his thoughts on Messi, whom he considers one of his role models. He also touched upon other topics including his trademark celebration.

Yamal’s take on Lionel Messi

“I really admire Messi’s personality, the personality that always seeks to win. He has won a lot of titles and Ballon d’Or, but he always wants more,” Yamal said.

“Even when he didn’t win the World Cup, he never stopped trying. That’s something I like a lot, and it’s very difficult. When you win a title, you can relax a little bit, but he never did that.

“And certainly now he has the desire to win more titles and more World Cups. That’s what I like most about him,” he added.

The young winger lauded the Argentine’s ability to dribble past defenders with sheer efficiency, even in crunch games.

“What I like most about Messi’s style is the ease with which he plays. Being in a final and dribbling past 3-4 players, no player can do that. There may be a player who performs well for two years, but there is only one Messi,” he said.

Yamal is a huge admirer of Messi (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yamal on tracking back

Yamal also offered his thoughts on the idea of an attacking tracking back and the importance of playing freely.

“When you play freely in attack, this is reflected in your defensive performance, but little by little you mature in this matter, and you become more focused on defending and helping the team,” the attacker said.

“It’s about focusing and changing the mindset and knowing that you’re defending and helping the team. If you don’t give your all in defence, you won’t get the ball in attack.

“I think a player performs at his best when he plays as if he is with his friends, that is the most important thing,” he added.

Yamal on his celebration

Lamine Yamal is quite famous for his trademark celebration and in the interview, he offered an explanation regarding the origin of the celebration.

“A week before my debut, I was hanging out with my friends at night, thinking of ways to celebrate, and suddenly one of my friends suggested it to me, and luckily I scored a goal and celebrated like that.

“Since then people have started to recognize me because of this celebration. It has become associated with me now and will remain forever,” the attacker revealed.

“What anyone dreams of is to be able to play in the Euros and see people wearing their jersey and doing their celebration. Five years ago they were doing another celebration and now they are doing my celebration. It’s like a dream,” he concluded.