Last night, Lamine Yamal was one moment away from sending Barcelona to the Champions League final. Had he done it, they would likely have become tournament favourites, and with another standout performance, a Ballon d’Or at just 18 wouldn’t have seemed unrealistic. At that point, could anyone have truly argued against it?
At just 17, Lamine Yamal is doing more than dazzling opponents. He’s making some of football’s most experienced voices pause and reconsider the limits of young talent. His performance against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final 1st leg wasn’t just impressive. It was a statement. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick called him a “genius” and, while doing so, made sure to remind everyone that greatness demands consistency. “It can’t just be a one-off,” Flick said. “You have to work hard. To reach the level of Ronaldo or Messi or other great players.”
And yet, people who know football believe Yamal is on a trajectory few teenagers have ever approached.
“He’s amazing,” said Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. “How he handles the ball in tight spaces and at full speed is fantastic. And on top of that you have his oversight of the game.”
From the outside, Yamal’s magic feels effortless. But those who understand the game at the highest level are most impressed by what lies underneath. “He respects the football,” said Jozak. “He passes when he’s supposed to. You see Yamal dribbling, but you do not see Yamal dribbling and taking on players in his own box.”
Yamal’s composure has stunned coaches across Europe. “Technically, I don’t think there is much room left for improvement,” said Jose Boto, technical director at Flamengo. “He creates chances and can do so many different things with the ball. He is already elite.”
There’s artistry to the way Yamal plays, but it’s grounded in intelligence and structure. “Let’s say I give you the same colours of paint, the same brushes and paper as Leonardo da Vinci when he painted the Mona Lisa,” said Jozak. “And I tell you: ‘OK, you have the same equipment. Do it.’ Nobody will do it again.”
In a sport that increasingly demands athleticism and speed, Yamal reminds us that vision and timing still matter most. “Please, always pay attention to how many and who are the midfielders in his team,” said Matias Manna, analyst for the Argentina national team. “Those are the ones who will bring Yamal the ball in the best possible conditions.”
He benefits from players like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who create moments of calm and clarity in which his creativity flourishes. Manna compared him to Angel Di Maria for his versatility, but believes his long-term success depends on what’s around him. “For a winger, there’s nothing like being surrounded by great midfielders.”
His mental game might be his most underrated asset. “I have never seen a player at his age make such clear decisions,” said Stefan Buck, assistant at Eintracht Frankfurt. “He is outstanding in almost everything. Everyone wants to marvel at their art. Ultimately, we all love this sport because of players like him.”
The excitement surrounding Yamal is not just based on flair but also on how efficiently he uses it. “He disguises what he’s going to do,” said Emre Utkucan, director of scouting at Galatasaray. “He is unpredictable but everything is focused on getting to the goal. Fantastic. It is pure joy to watch him play.”
Even the man who brought Lionel Messi to Barcelona, Horacio Gaggioli, sees something special. “What makes Lamine different from other elite players is his self-confidence. But we have to be conscious of his age. He has to be taken care of.”
Not everyone sees unlimited room for development, but that may speak more to Yamal’s already high level than any limitation. “Yamal now is more similar to the Yamal of the next ten years,” said Antonio Gagliardi, Parma assistant manager. “Sure, as a teenager he has the possibility to improve, but I don’t think he has the same huge possibility to improve as Messi had.”
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick noted how purposeful Yamal is with the ball. “His close ball control is superb and he never uses his fantastic technique to do anything showy. He’s always attacking the goal or looking for the layoff.”
With Yamal, Barcelona may have found not just their next superstar but a player capable of shaping an era. The tools are all there. Balance, intelligence, flair, and a love of the game that shines through every touch. The football world watches not just in admiration but in anticipation.
I don’t think he’s going to overtake Messi, but he’ll get close.
— Romeo Jozak, former technical director of the Croatian FA
