Lamine Yamal`s exceptional performance in Barcelona`s 3-3 draw against Inter in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals was a major highlight. It underscored that he is not merely a promising talent for the future, but already ranks among the game`s elite players today.
Yamal played a crucial role in Barcelona`s potent attack, registering four shots and creating two scoring opportunities as the team netted three goals against Inter. The 17-year-old enjoyed a memorable moment himself, scoring in the 24th minute with a moment of solo brilliance that ignited Barcelona`s comeback from a two-goal deficit. This was just the latest instance where Yamal left observers, including Thierry Henry, utterly astounded.
“What I witnessed tonight from Lamine Yamal… it`s simply not normal to perform like that at 17,” Henry commented during the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show. “I`m not just talking about his skills on the ball; his awareness, composure, how he understands the game, and his defensive contributions – it`s all extraordinary. We discussed the fact that he`s already played 100 senior games at his age. It`s frankly unbelievable. I struggle to comprehend what I`m seeing, what I`m witnessing, but he played with incredible intensity, and when I say `a man,` technically, he isn`t even fully grown yet. It`s just not normal.”
Statistics support Henry`s assertion that Yamal is operating at a level far surpassing his peers. In his initial 100 senior club appearances, he has accumulated 50 goals and assists (22 goals, 28 assists). This tally is remarkably close to Lionel Messi`s count of 56 (41 goals, 15 assists) at the same career stage and significantly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo`s 27 (13 goals, 14 assists). Crucially, both Ronaldo and Messi were considerably older than Yamal when they reached their 100th game milestone, and Messi had only played seven senior games for Barcelona by the time he was Yamal`s current age.
Beyond his record-breaking statistics, Yamal`s game is marked by entertaining flair, a quality he readily acknowledges as a signature of his style.
“I enjoy playing in a way that brings pleasure to others,” Yamal stated in an interview on the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show.
Yamal`s collection of trophies is also impressive for a player so young. He was a key figure in Spain`s victory at last year`s Euros and played a vital part in Barcelona`s Copa del Rey triumph on Saturday. Should Barcelona achieve a treble this season – a distinct possibility given their La Liga lead and continued presence in the Champions League – Yamal would be a thoroughly deserving recipient of these honors. He is rapidly establishing himself as one of the game`s premier talents, potentially filling the void left by Messi and Ronaldo as their legendary careers draw to a close.
“Something that consistently amazes me in football is the thought that surely no one will ever be better than [Messi or Ronaldo],” Henry reflected. “And then Yamal emerges. And there`s another exciting young player in Argentina, [Franco] Mastantuono at River Plate, already winning a major derby with a free kick against Boca Juniors. That`s the magic of football. There`s likely someone else who isn`t even known yet, who in two or three years, we`ll be talking about. It`s truly incredible to think a player is doing this at 17 years old. At 17, I believe I was just making my senior debut. What he`s achieving is astonishing, not normal at all. But look, it`s wonderful to witness the arrival of a new talent, a new force on the scene who looks capable of dominating. I sincerely hope that for him. We should be careful not to burden him with pressure by declaring he should inherit the throne or anything similar.”
Jersey Exchange?
Following the interview, Henry mentioned his upcoming visit to Barcelona for El Clasico in May and expressed his desire to acquire Yamal`s jersey for his son. Yamal readily agreed, but in turn, requested one of Henry`s shirts, emphasizing that whether it was from his time at Barcelona or Arsenal, either would be welcome.
