Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente came up with his response to whether 18-year-old Lamine Yamal can emulate Lionel Messi. Presently, the Barcelona wonderkid is considered the next big thing in the world of football and is compared to legend Lionel Messi. De la Fuente took control of La Roja following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, succeeding Luis Enrique, and swiftly ushered in a new era. Under his guidance, Spain went on to win the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the UEFA EURO 2024 championship. With Yamal now shining as the squad’s standout talent, De la Fuente is aiming to carry that momentum onto football’s grandest stage.
Lamine has played an instrumental role in helping Barcelona to win four trophies and helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024. According to the Spanish Outlet AS, the national team said, "He has a big mirror in front of him to look into. He has to embrace all the great things Messi has done. I hope we can enjoy Lamine in the same way we enjoyed Messi." Looking beyond the World Cup, excitement is already mounting over a possible Messi vs. Yamal showdown in the Finalissima before the tournament kicks off. The clash, set for the March 2026 international break, will only go ahead if Spain finish top of their qualifying group.
Lamine Yamal may still be in the early stages, but ahead of Lionel Messi at the same age
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has carved out an extraordinary legacy, highlighted by a record eight Ballon d’Or titles. Yamal, meanwhile, is showing remarkable promise and appears to have outshone Messi’s early years. Still, only time will tell whether the young star can live up to the immense expectations, match the achievements of the former Barcelona icon, and cement his place among the world’s best.
Former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit has advised Yamal to stay grounded, emphasizing the importance of mentality over arrogance. Petit also noted that the youngster’s style on the right wing strongly reminds him of Messi in his early days. "He reminds me of Messi on the right wing. Every time he touches the ball, you can see he's creating danger. He usually draws two or even three opponents into his area, which opens up space for his teammates. That's why Barça is so dangerous. With Raphinha and a great midfield, the threat can come from anywhere. I've seen many teams try to defend by putting two or three players against Yamal, and it doesn't work."
