Lamine Yamal is likely not the best player in the world currently. The fact that this statement even needs to be made about a footballer before his 18th birthday speaks volumes about the extraordinary talent this young phenom possesses. With the critical final stages of the season rapidly approaching, the coming weeks could see Yamal at least establish himself among the prime candidates to succeed Lionel Messi as the sport`s leading figure.
Regardless of his age, Yamal`s output this season has been outstandingly effective. In La Liga particularly, he has distinguished himself as one of the league`s top performers. His 12 assists lead his nearest competitor, Raphinha, by three. He also holds an edge over his teammate in expected assisted goals (xAG), a metric tracking the quality of chances he directly creates for others. When it comes to delivering the ball into the most dangerous positions on the field, no one is doing so with the frequency of Yamal. He has completed 83 passes into the penalty area, while Pedri is second with 68. He also leads the league in both goal-creating and shot-creating actions – his statistical dominance is extensive.
In essence, the 17-year-old has been the most effective creator in Spain`s top division this season.
A similarly persuasive argument can be made regarding his ability to progress the ball. Yamal is crucial in driving Barcelona forward into the areas where he can deploy his skills, leading La Liga in successful take-ons. He is surpassed only by Vinicius Junior in both progressive carries and carries into the penalty area.
While a select group – including this analysis – might get excited by Yamal`s consistently high percentile rankings across numerous statistics, what truly leaves others in disbelief are the moments of genius that defy his youth. At times, it feels as though the player from Rocafonda has somehow internalized the entire history of football, instinctively knowing the right decision without the lengthy trial-and-error learning process most players undergo.
Consider his goal that added further pain for Borussia Dortmund in the 4-0 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg win earlier this month. Played through by Raphinha, he seemed to instantly recognize that his slightly heavy first touch would invite Ramy Bensebaini to try and steal the ball. There was no opportunity to pull back and shoot forcefully, and pushing the ball away from the recovering full-back would likely tighten the angle and slow the attacking momentum.
In less time than it took you to read that, Yamal had processed the situation and concluded that the optimal choice was a delicate flick with his toe, redirecting the ball with such precision that all Gregor Kobel, the goalkeeper, could do was watch in admiration. Again, remember he was only 17 years old.
Then there are the numerous exquisite chips towards the back post and outside-of-the-boot crosses, highlighted by a spectacular 40-yard pass that provided Raphinha with a prime scoring opportunity. There are many more examples, so often delivered while sprinting at full pace down the flank. Plenty of experienced professionals never execute the kind of cross-body ball striking that Yamal performs routinely. His ability to do this also demonstrates a growing understanding of what the opposition will and won`t allow him. As seen with his goal in the Euro 2024 semifinal, if he`s prevented from cutting inside to shoot and forced down the line, he still effectively exploits his stronger foot from that position.
After considering all of this, you might wonder what exactly is holding back his case for major individual awards like the Ballon d`Or. For the moment, it primarily boils down to goal scoring volume. A return of 14 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions is certainly not poor, especially when complemented by 22 assists. However, his shot selection is the one area where Yamal`s youthful impulsiveness shows. He displays a typical trait of young wingers by attempting shots from challenging situations – understandable given the spectacular goals he can score, like in Euro 2024 – resulting in a significant number of attempts that are, shall we say, optimistic.
There`s every reason to believe that a player with his remarkable composure and rapid development will refine this particular aspect of his game before long. Most coaches will tell you it is significantly easier to coach unproductive shots out of a player`s game than it is to instill the desire to shoot in the first place. And at 4.19 shots per 90 minutes, generating 0.31 expected goals (xG) per 90, Yamal certainly doesn`t need to be encouraged to pull the trigger.
A few more goals and a few fewer ambitious shots – that`s essentially the main area for improvement to transform Yamal into a genuinely elite, best-in-the-game attacker. This progression could realistically be completed by the end of his teenage years. All of this inevitably leads to the major questions that are likely to arise about this player before too long: How does he stack up against the all-time greats of the game? Was he performing at a higher level at this age than legends like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Comparing players across different eras is inherently challenging. In his age 17 season, Lionel Messi was often observing from the sidelines as Frank Rijkaard`s Barcelona dominated La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo did not turn 18 until shortly before catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. Even players who broke through at a young age, such as Kylian Mbappe and Wayne Rooney, were typically only showing flashes of their ultimate potential at this stage. By the time he celebrates his 18th birthday in July, Yamal could potentially have accumulated 5,000 La Liga minutes and participated in 24 Champions League matches, perhaps even securing La Liga or Champions League winner`s medals alongside any prizes from Euro 2024.
If you are seeking players who were achieving anything remotely comparable to Yamal at such a tender age, your best comparisons lie in exploring the early careers of South American icons. Ronaldo Nazario was already dismantling defenses while playing for Cruzeiro, Diego Maradona was earning the nickname `El Pibe de Oro` (The Golden Boy), and Pelé was setting records in major tournaments that Yamal might one day aim to match.
Of course, it will realistically take the better part of two decades before it becomes clear whether Yamal truly belongs in the same historical conversation as those aforementioned legends. While their careers were outstanding, the paths of figures like Wayne Rooney and even, to a degree, the Brazilian Ronaldo, serve as cautionary tales about the potential pitfalls that can affect a player with immense natural talent. Furthermore, the physical strain placed on any player`s body by accumulating so many minutes at such an early age is a significant factor.
Being on the cusp of becoming the world`s best player at just 17 is one remarkable achievement; sustaining that level of dominance for a decade and a half, as the true greats of the game did, is an entirely different challenge. Fortunately for Yamal, time is very much on his side.
