Lamine Yamal

[Wand of a right foot]

He was special but he was an unused substitute in the 120 min match vs Germany when they were eliminated. Not sure he hit god mode until 2007/2008. I don't think it's crazy to compare Yamal and Messi at their respective ages. I refuse to believe Yamal or anybody will hit peak Messi levels again.

He had already hit "god mode" by season 2005/6, his first season as a regular starter. Remember his performance vs Mourinho"s Chelsea at Stamford bridge? (one of the best ever oremier league teams) amongst several others.

He went into the 2006 world cup off the back of a 3 month injury lay off hence used really sparingly.

Messi truly exploded in early 2007, but he'd been delayed by injuries before then. He was absolutely massively hyped, genuinely expected to enter goat discussions back when he was still 16/17. At 18 he was clowning Mourinho's Chelsea at SB in a CL R16 match - effectively ended Del Horno's career at Chelsea

Peckerman was criticized by many people - especially Maradona - for not playing him in 2006(gave him 10 minutes and he scored)

anyways, refer back to my post on this kid from March/April of last year, post International break

he's very much the same caliber of talent as Messi

I think he is a supremely talented player but id say more like a Neymar/Ronaldinho level talent which is a very very high level. Main difference even at that age is in the final third (Messi's composure and placement of the ball) and in the close control at full speed which is elite but just below Leo. Also, he isnt as explosive.

 

[giorno]

I think he is a supremely talented player but id say more like a Neymar/Ronaldinho level talent which is a very very high level. Main difference even at that age is in the final third (Messi's composure and placement of the ball) and in the close control at full speed which is elite but just below Leo. Also, he isnt as explosive.

he's a better passer and chance creator and has a better shot than Messi at the same age

He's 17, and might already be the best player in the world. Neymar and Ronaldinho were nowhere near this talented

 

[Kinsella]

he's a better passer and chance creator and has a better shot than Messi at the same age

He's 17, and might already be the best player in the world. Neymar and Ronaldinho were nowhere near this talented

That's a big claim.

 

[Querulous Megapode]

It's very hard to call an early sunday league game against Alaves a breakout moment when you've won a European Championship as a starter, and generally been one of the best players in the world all season, but Jesus Christ he's giving it a pretty solid shot.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

he's a better passer and chance creator and has a better shot than Messi at the same age

He's 17, and might already be the best player in the world. Neymar and Ronaldinho were nowhere near this talented

They were trust me. Problem (if you can call it that) was that they were playing in South America.

Messi hardly played at 17 due to various reason but lack of ability wasn't one of them.

 

[Querulous Megapode]

You are definitely the only person here who'd watched Neymar and Ronaldinho play in South America. I see no option but to trust you on all counts.

 

[Redstain]

I think he's a more complete player than Messi was being of similar age.

I don't really think he's getting the recognition he should on here, the fact someone said Garnacho is better in his thread was a pitiful joke.

Yamal is the best player in Europe as it stands. We need to not use words like "talent" to ascribe his influence, he is the type of player that comes around once every 100 or so years.

If he continues his trajectory free of injury he goes down as the best player of all time.

 

[Kinsella]

I think he's a more complete player than Messi was being of similar age.

I don't really think he's getting the recognition he should on here, the fact someone said Garnacho is better in his thread was a pitiful joke.

Yamal is the best player in Europe as it stands. We need to not use words like "talent" to ascribe his influence, he is the type of player that comes around once every 100 or so years.

If he continues his trajectory free of injury he goes down as the best player of all time.

Who said that?

 

[Redstain]

Who said that?

Can't remember who specifically but it popped up amongst the panic of the Chelsea interest.

But it's not surprising with many only coveting the league, if he played in England this thread would be well over 100 pages.

 

[Querulous Megapode]

Wasting my last post of the day on this rather than getting back to some points I wanted to adress. It is what it is:

Who said that?

I think my least favorite analysis was actually some guy declaring he clearly didn't have Neymar's talent or accelaration while simultaneously saying Neymar simply wasn't physically developed enough to play at the same age. As if any of these things were inherently unrelated. Or that you could seriously call a 16 or 17 year old kid's future physical development from the comfort of your couch.


(There was also someone saying he was no Maino, but could maybe reach other Barca legends's level like Pedro or Alexis Sanchez in the summer, but I think that it was always fairly obvious he was overcompensating hard.)

 

[Kwabs]

I sometimes have to remind myself that he's still only 17. As in, not 19, not 20, but SEVENTEEN.

I hope he has a healthy career and stays focused, because I really want to see what he can become.

 

[Kwabs]

he's a better passer and chance creator and has a better shot than Messi at the same age

He's 17, and might already be the best player in the world. Neymar and Ronaldinho were nowhere near this talented

This is perhaps a bit strong. I have made statements in the past about trying to remember that we must compare Lamine Yamal and the other guys as seventeen year olds, or at least, as teenagers.

I didn't watch Ronaldinho regularly as a seventeen year old and I didn't really see Neymar very much at that age either. I did see a lot of Messi, and the talent is very comparable. Messi was an incredible dribbler even at the age, but the passing and playmaking was not anything like what it later became (ditto the goalscoring, obviously).

Yamal doesn't dribble quite as well, but when he's in his passing bag, it's quite amazing what he can do. He also likes to express himself with the kind of flamboyant moves that Messi didn't really do. It's a very interesting comparison.

I think the important thing to remember is that becoming Messi is more than about talent. It takes a lot of other things too. Ronaldo is often thought of as the poster child for focus and dedication, but Messi is not far behind in that aspect, and that's what people overlook.

 

[Fortitude]

As I said before: it's a real shame there's no World Cup for him to play in at 17; he has the talent and proven body of work in a major that suggests he could've been one to challenge Pele's point of dominance for 17-year olds.

Really got to hope he stays injury free and keeps his head in the game. I feel it's only those two things that can stop him from being the dominant player of this generation.

 

[Kwabs]

As I said before: it's a real shame there's no World Cup for him to play in at 17; he has the talent and proven body of work in a major that suggests he could've been one to challenge Pele's point of dominance for 17-year olds.

Really got to hope he stays injury free and keeps his head in the game. I feel it's only those two things that can stop him from being the dominant player of this generation.

I don't think so. I've watched the semi final and final from the 1958 World Cup. What Pele did in those games will never be seen again. It's one of the reasons why I think he's the real GOAT.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

This is perhaps a bit strong. I have made statements in the past about trying to remember that we must compare Lamine Yamal and the other guys as seventeen year olds, or at least, as teenagers.

I didn't watch Ronaldinho regularly as a seventeen year old and I didn't really see Neymar very much at that age either. I did see a lot of Messi, and the talent is very comparable. Messi was an incredible dribbler even at the age, but the passing and playmaking was not anything like what it later became (ditto the goalscoring, obviously).

Yamal doesn't dribble quite as well, but when he's in his passing bag, it's quite amazing what he can do. He also likes to express himself with the kind of flamboyant moves that Messi didn't really do. It's a very interesting comparison.

I think the important thing to remember is that becoming Messi is more than about talent. It takes a lot of other things too. Ronaldo is often thought of as the poster child for focus and dedication, but Messi is not far behind in that aspect, and that's what people overlook.

The only thing he is better at is crossing. At everything else attacking wise even in his teen years i.e dribbling (Messi never needed tricks what with the ball glued to his feet and the ability to change direction at warp speed plus incredible ability in the tightest of spaces), finishing (his first goal alone showed his finishing ability; he made it look easy when it wasn't with a delicate touch to lobe it over the keeper), through passes (just watch his cameo on his debut or many of his videos at 18. )and explosiveness (one true weakness in Yamal's game imo). By comparing these attributes and saying Messi was better, it really isn't an insult to Yamal because I'm comparing him to the most talented player I have ever seen.

It is very difficult to compare them interns of influence at 17 because Messi was bit part player at that age; just 9 matches for the senior team, many off the bench whereas Yamal is 2 seasons into his senior career playing regularly. It is understandable that Barcelona fans want another messiah but honestly as good as Yamal is, imo talents like Messi come atleast every 30 years.

Interms of their football development from their base, Yamal is 2 years into it at 17, Messi was 2 years into it at 19 (he hardly played at 17 so his true first deason was at 18); that would probably be a more apt comparison. IF you ask me to compare a 19 year old Messi to a 17 year old Yamal, id pick Messi each and every time. Remember the ankara Messi goal, the hat trick and performance vs Real Madrid, etc. Only injuries stopped him from winning the ballon d'or imo.

Regardless though, Yamal, i am very sure (as i was of Messi back in 2005) will be the best of his generation injuries permitting. I dont see anyone right now in Europe having anywhere near his talent. What he needs is a self obsessed, preening, egomaniac with less talent but great stats and a maniacal social media following to give him abit of competition.

I think he's a more complete player than Messi was being of similar age.

I don't really think he's getting the recognition he should on here, the fact someone said Garnacho is better in his thread was a pitiful joke.

Yamal is the best player in Europe as it stands. We need to not use words like "talent" to ascribe his influence, he is the type of player that comes around once every 100 or so years.

If he continues his trajectory free of injury he goes down as the best player of all time.

Again, Messi hardly played at 17; a total of 9 matches for the Barcelona senior team, many off the bench not because he wasnt good enough but because the situation was very different for Barcelona back then compared to now.

Your statement is mad exaggeration in any case. When Messi started playing as regularly (as Yamal is right now) at 19, he was better than what Yamal is right now as long as he was fit. Recency bias and all that.

 

[giorno]

imo talents like Messi come atleast every 30 years.

Pelé - 1940
Maradona - 1960
Ronaldo - 1976
Messi - 1987
Lamine Yamal - 2007

 

[Acrobat7]

Pelé - 1940
Maradona - 1960
Ronaldo - 1976
Messi - 1987
Lamine Yamal - 2007

Hence "generational". Also: I know he is 17 but seeing his year of birth (2007!) written out makes me feel so fecking old.

 

[Hammondo]

Pelé - 1940
Maradona - 1960
Ronaldo - 1976
Messi - 1987
Lamine Yamal - 2007

You could add ronaldinho.

 

[Kwabs]

The only thing he is better at is crossing. At everything else attacking wise even in his teen years i.e dribbling (Messi never needed tricks what with the ball glued to his feet and the ability to change direction at warp speed plus incredible ability in the tightest of spaces), finishing (his first goal alone showed his finishing ability; he made it look easy when it wasn't with a delicate touch to lobe it over the keeper), through passes (just watch his cameo on his debut or many of his videos at 18. )and explosiveness (one true weakness in Yamal's game imo). By comparing these attributes and saying Messi was better, it really isn't an insult to Yamal because I'm comparing him to the most talented player I have ever seen.

It is very difficult to compare them interns of influence at 17 because Messi was bit part player at that age; just 9 matches for the senior team, many off the bench whereas Yamal is 2 seasons into his senior career playing regularly. It is understandable that Barcelona fans want another messiah but honestly as good as Yamal is, imo talents like Messi come atleast every 30 years.

Interms of their football development from their base, Yamal is 2 years into it at 17, Messi was 2 years into it at 19 (he hardly played at 17 so his true first deason was at 18); that would probably be a more apt comparison. IF you ask me to compare a 19 year old Messi to a 17 year old Yamal, id pick Messi each and every time. Remember the ankara Messi goal, the hat trick and performance vs Real Madrid, etc. Only injuries stopped him from winning the ballon d'or imo.

Regardless though, Yamal, i am very sure (as i was of Messi back in 2005) will be the best of his generation injuries permitting. I dont see anyone right now in Europe having anywhere near his talent. What he needs is a self obsessed, preening, egomaniac with less talent but great stats and a maniacal social media following to give him abit of competition.


Again, Messi hardly played at 17; a total of 9 matches for the Barcelona senior team, many off the bench not because he wasnt good enough but because the situation was very different for Barcelona back then compared to now.

Your statement is mad exaggeration in any case. When Messi started playing as regularly (as Yamal is right now) at 19, he was better than what Yamal is right now as long as he was fit. Recency bias and all that.

I would say a bit better at passing generally, not just 'crossing.' With the dribbling, I already said that this has always been Messi's number one ability.

 

[giorno]

You could add ronaldinho.

No chance

 

[Hammondo]

No chance

You don't think he had that level of talent?

 

[giorno]

You don't think he had that level of talent?

Not even close*

Lamine Yamal is currently better than Dinho was in 2002, when he won the WC ffs

All those guys have in common the fact that they were genuinely in best player in the world category as teenagers. Ronaldinho didn't really take off until he was 22

*yes it's hyperbole


Could add Di Stefano though - 1926

 

[Fortitude]

I don't think so. I've watched the semi final and final from the 1958 World Cup. What Pele did in those games will never be seen again. It's one of the reasons why I think he's the real GOAT.

Unfortunately, we’ll never know.

Pelé - 1940
Maradona - 1960
Ronaldo - 1976
Messi - 1987
Lamine Yamal - 2007

It’s really looking this way.

You could add ronaldinho.

Nah.

 

[Ish]

Incredible to think Barca might just have gone and developed another potential GOAT talent so shortly after the Messi period has "ended" (ended in Europe anyway).

 

[Red Star One]

Incredible to think Barca might just have gone and developed another potential GOAT talent so shortly after the Messi period has "ended" (ended in Europe anyway).

Don't know if it's really incredible that they have another of such monstrous talents at their disposal, after all I think Catalunya is probably the most likely region in the world to spawn and develop players with such potential considering the footballing culture, infrastructure and scouting. Even after Messi there were several cracks with sky-is-the-limit potential in La Masia, what is truly remarkable about Yamal is that he seems to have not only immense talent but also right mentality and hopefully a body that can sustain this level of exploitation.

 

[Hammondo]

Don't know if it's really incredible that they have another of such monstrous talents at their disposal, after all I think Catalunya is probably the most likely region in the world to spawn and develop players with such potential considering the footballing culture, infrastructure and scouting. Even after Messi there were several cracks with sky-is-the-limit potential in La Masia, what is truly remarkable about Yamal is that he seems to have not only immense talent but also right mentality and hopefully a body that can sustain this level of exploitation.

Culture and coaching is such a massive part of it.

 

[Zehner]

From the current generation, no other player was as good as Yamal aged 16/17, that much is obvious. That being said, this is not the best way to predict a player's career, IMO. In the last generation, the best 16 year olds were probably Rooney and Fabregas an there were many players who turned out better than them eventually. Yamal is already among the best players on the planet band it's one hell of an accomplishment to be that good at 17 but it is also one hell of a step to improve even further from such a level. Developments aren't linear. Most players refine their game massively in their early 20s but some already did so in their teens and their learning curve flattens, Mbappe is the best example of that.

 

[Ish]

Don't know if it's really incredible that they have another of such monstrous talents at their disposal, after all I think Catalunya is probably the most likely region in the world to spawn and develop players with such potential considering the footballing culture, infrastructure and scouting. Even after Messi there were several cracks with sky-is-the-limit potential in La Masia, what is truly remarkable about Yamal is that he seems to have not only immense talent but also right mentality and hopefully a body that can sustain this level of exploitation.

All great points of course - culture, coaching etc all immensely important....I guess I meant before Messi, when was this level of talent and right mentality developed at La Masia? That's what I meant - a proper seemingly generational footballer coming through at the same place & only a few years after the one who just left. I don't think that's happened before, right?

 

[Red Star One]

Culture and coaching is such a massive part of it.

it's the infrastructure that really impressed me when you see it first-hand. Culture has it that the rich and poor alike will have their sons (and daughters! you see so many murals of female players and it's very normal to see girls playing with boys across all age groups) dreaming about football career. Infrastructure (and climate) mean there's always a pitch next to your house, you can play all year long, there's a million of youth teams and the schools are very much focused and skilled in identifying sports talents.

 

[Ish]

From the current generation, no other player was as good as Yamal aged 16/17, that much is obvious. That being said, this is not the best way to predict a player's career, IMO. In the last generation, the best 16 year olds were probably Rooney and Fabregas an there were many players who turned out better than them eventually. Yamal is already among the best players on the planet band it's one hell of an accomplishment to be that good at 17 but it is also one hell of a step to improve even further from such a level. Developments aren't linear. Most players refine their game massively in their early 20s but some already did so in their teens and their learning curve flattens, Mbappe is the best example of that.

Yep, that and where Messi & Ronaldo was so fortunate was their lack of any significant injuries throughout their long, astonishing careers as well. Off the field is also as important as on the field etc. It takes not only talent, but incredible levels of dedication to get anywhere near what they achieved.

 

[Hammondo]

it's the infrastructure that really impressed me when you see it first-hand. Culture has it that the rich and poor alike will have their sons (and daughters! you see so many murals of female players and it's very normal to see girls playing with boys across all age groups) dreaming about football career. Infrastructure (and climate) mean there's always a pitch next to your house, you can play all year long, there's a million of youth teams and the schools are very much focused and skilled in identifying sports talents.

I mean their culture around technical players and passing.

 

[Fortitude]

From the current generation, no other player was as good as Yamal aged 16/17, that much is obvious. That being said, this is not the best way to predict a player's career, IMO. In the last generation, the best 16 year olds were probably Rooney and Fabregas an there were many players who turned out better than them eventually. Yamal is already among the best players on the planet band it's one hell of an accomplishment to be that good at 17 but it is also one hell of a step to improve even further from such a level. Developments aren't linear. Most players refine their game massively in their early 20s but some already did so in their teens and their learning curve flattens, Mbappe is the best example of that.

Not sure that he is, as he got distracted and it affected his development. The commonality the gggreat ones have is their zest and desire to learn and improve. It’s like they are consumed and that same energy pushes them on to greater and greater heights. Mbappe had that, hit a roadblock and then petered out somewhat.

It’s often understated outside of Cristiano how obsessed these guys are with getting better and better and better, and it’s often assumed that the gggreater the talent the less the exponent has to work, but if you watch or follow most of these truly special ones from the perspective of their story, they had a ball glued to them all the time and they worked and worked to hone what they did. Maradona is probably the best example given his talent is simply absurd, yet the stories of him, he knew nothing but football and even when he deviated, it was football and drink, drugs and partying and nothing else.

We’re more deceived by the languid, quiet personalities into thinking they just are what they are, but I’d be willing to bet their hours with the ball actually surpass those who are nowhere near them talent wise. Even Best had this, despite going completely off the rails by 27 (hours with the ball).

Yamal looks like he’s adding things to his game every few months, and perhaps adding isn’t the right word, rather, utilising more of his skill set. Crazy thing for him, there’s no hard, set path, which is more from the Pele school than the Maradona, Ronaldo Luiz, Messi school where we knew they would be phenomenal dribblers if nothing else. Yamal has already shown he doesn’t need to even beat a man to be devastatingly effective, and that’s incredibly, incredibly rare in a teenager, as the primary of the aforementioned was just running through as many as came at them over and over and over again first and foremost with the rest of their game catching up to that as they matured.

 

[Red Star One]

All great points of course - culture, coaching etc all immensely important....I guess I meant before Messi, when was this level of talent and right mentality developed at La Masia? That's what I meant - a proper seemingly generational footballer coming through at the same place & only a few years after the one who just left. I don't think that's happened before, right?

I'm not an expert historian on Barca, but a lot has changed in La Masia with the arrival of the class of 87 (when Messi, Fabregas, Pique and Pedro were born). They were already a great academy and only just developed the likes of Xavi and Iniesta, but I think the idea that La Masia is the best academy in the world only started springing back then. Also important to note is that Barcelona as a city underwent a giant transformation following the 1992 Olympics - it was not only cultural rejuvenation, but also an immense change in urban planning and infrastructure development.

 

[Ish]

I'm not an expert historian on Barca, but a lot has changed in La Masia with the arrival of the class of 87 (when Messi, Fabregas, Pique and Pedro were born). They were already a great academy and only just developed the likes of Xavi and Iniesta, but I think the idea that La Masia is the best academy in the world only started springing back then. Also important to note is that Barcelona as a city underwent a giant transformation following the 1992 Olympics - it was not only cultural rejuvenation, but also an immense change in urban planning and infrastructure development.

Thanks for all this info bud. Had not much idea of any of this.

 

[Querulous Megapode]

By all acounts I've heard, Cruyff was seminal in transforming Barca's academy as a manager (often typified by his handling of a young Guardiola; he may or may not have played a similar role in modernizing Ajax's youth setup when he coached them in the Eighties). Before that point they've had the odd talent like Rexach and Amor, but nothing like the prolonged, sustainable success they've experienced since the Nineties (generally backed with real commitment to promoting from the youth ranks where possible, despite the Bosman ruling -- even when those players were clearly a bit shite).

It's one reason why I'm always skeptical when people question Cruyff's credentials as a manager. (Or it could be mostly surface-level bullshit; it's not as though these pieces ever truly delve into the particulars with any depth.)

 

[Zehner]

Not sure that he is, as he got distracted and it affected his development. The commonality the gggreat ones have is their zest and desire to learn and improve. It’s like they are consumed and that same energy pushes them on to greater and greater heights. Mbappe had that, hit a roadblock and then petered out somewhat.

It’s often understated outside of Cristiano how obsessed these guys are with getting better and better and better, and it’s often assumed that the gggreater the talent the less the exponent has to work, but if you watch or follow most of these truly special ones from the perspective of their story, they had a ball glued to them all the time and they worked and worked to hone what they did. Maradona is probably the best example given his talent is simply absurd, yet the stories of him, he knew nothing but football and even when he deviated, it was football and drink, drugs and partying and nothing else.

We’re more deceived by the languid, quiet personalities into thinking they just are what they are, but I’d be willing to bet their hours with the ball actually surpass those who are nowhere near them talent wise. Even Best had this, despite going completely off the rails by 27 (hours with the ball).

Yamal looks like he’s adding things to his game every few months, and perhaps adding isn’t the right word, rather, utilising more of his skill set. Crazy thing for him, there’s no hard, set path, which is more from the Pele school than the Maradona, Ronaldo Luiz, Messi school where we knew they would be phenomenal dribblers if nothing else. Yamal has already shown he doesn’t need to even beat a man to be devastatingly effective, and that’s incredibly, incredibly rare in a teenager, as the primary of the aforementioned was just running through as many as came at them over and over and over again first and foremost with the rest of their game catching up to that as they matured.

Fully agree on the work ethics part. The best technician weren't born that talented but probably spent hours and hours training with the ball to become as "gifted" as they are. The world just won't recognize it was work because they seem playful doing it and likely they don't perceive it as such either because they are having fun. Somehow, something is only considered work when you suffer for it, make of that what you will

Regarding Mbappe: I think it was always foreseeable that Mbappe's learning curve would flatten earlier than usual. Usually, footballers develop their technical abilities first because humans find it increasingly difficult to improve in terms of motoric the older they become. So usually, the earlierst hint at great potential is outstanding technique, then they develop their physique and at last their "mental skills" like composure, decision making, off the ball movement, etc. But Mbappe was always a bit different. His movement and composure was exceptional even as a 16 year old, the same goes for his athleticism but his technique was never as impressive. He's not an underachiever if you ask me, he simply was very mature at a very young age without being a generational talent in terms of technique. Yamal is different in that regard. The best 16/17 year old since Mbappe at the very least but in a completely different way. He's already similarly developed in terms of football IQ but also possesses outstanding technique without being such a phenomenal sprinter like Mbappe.

 

[Zehner]

By all acounts I've heard, Cruyff was seminal in transforming Barca's academy as a manager (often typified by his handling of a young Guardiola; he may or may not have played a similar role in modernizing Ajax's youth setup when he coached them in the Eighties). Before that point they've had the odd talent like Rexach and Amor, but nothing like the prolonged, sustainable success they've experienced since the Nineties (generally backed with real commitment to promoting from the youth ranks where possible, despite the Bosman ruling -- even when those players were clearly a bit shite).

It's one reason why I'm always skeptical when people question Cruyff's credentials as a manager. (Or it could be mostly surface-level bullshit; it's not as though these pieces ever truly delve into the particulars with any depth.)

It helps that Barca follows a very technical philosophy to begin with. You throw a youth player in and as long as he knows where to position himself and when to release the ball, he'll be fine because he can avoid getting into physical duels for most of the time. That makes it much easier for academy players who traditionally struggle with the athletic aspect of first team football. If you take those players at the point of their first appearances for Barca's first team and throw them into a random team in for instance England or Germany, they'd struggle much more because their shortcomings would be exposed.

 

[Querulous Megapode]

Mbappe improved massively every year as a teenager (it was genuinely baffling to keep reading here he didn't), and was probably low-key the best player in the world around the time that Benzema had won the Balon d'Or (for me at any rate).

He'd obviously stagnated a bit the last year or two at PSG, but that's hardly that surprising, treading water at a less visible league, for a team he clearly didn't really want to play for anymore.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

I would say a bit better at passing generally, not just 'crossing.' With the dribbling, I already said that this has always been Messi's number one ability.

Depending on the type of pass. Messi was better at through passes; Yamal at crossing or lobbed passes.

Anyway, i revisited some matches of Messi at 18 to refresh my memory and honestly he was better. No doubt in my mind.

 

[giorno]

Don't know if it's really incredible that they have another of such monstrous talents at their disposal, after all I think Catalunya is probably the most likely region in the world to spawn and develop players with such potential considering the footballing culture, infrastructure and scouting. Even after Messi there were several cracks with sky-is-the-limit potential in La Masia, what is truly remarkable about Yamal is that he seems to have not only immense talent but also right mentality and hopefully a body that can sustain this level of exploitation.

Not really. Messi is argentinian, and Argentina and Brazil were the countries that produced these goats talent until Lamine Yamal came along. With Messi they got lucky the agents Messi's father talked to had contacts in Barcelona so they were the first club he was brought to

Lamine Yamal was born like 20 miles from the city