Lamine Yamal Follows Footsteps of Barcelona Legend Lionel Messi, Recent Update From Catalan Giants Confirms Striking Similarity Between Two Stars
Lamine Yamal’s expected stay at Barcelona has been confirmed by the club’s President, Joan Laporta, after revealing the 17-year-old wonderkid will put pen to paper on a contract extension once he turns 18 in July. The La Masia Prodigy has grown into magnificent prominence this season with 18 goals and 25 assists in 54 outings, prompting talks of a potential first Ballon d’Or capture come September this year.
The skilful left-footed attacker has drawn similarities with the Legendary Lionel Messi, with his 42 goal contribution this season alone playing a prominent role as the Spanish Giants amassed all domestic trophies in Spain in the 2024-25 season.
Just like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal is a product of the Lamasia academy and has not looked back after making his debut at the age of 15 in 2023.
Speaking with TV3 (Mundo Deportivo) Laporta insists a ‘Special’ player like Lamine Yamal will be treated like Lionel Messi was in his early stage at the club nurtured with a special support and treatment:
“With Messi, we structured his bonuses so he remained highly motivated, and we won everything. In Lamine’s case, the emotional aspect is key, as we have to make him feel important and valued.”
Also Read: He’s Already One of the Best”- Lionel Messi Backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or Glory
According to reports, Lamine Yamal will follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, wearing the iconic jersey number 10 currently worn by Ansu Fati.
Ansu Fati was the subject of intense transfer speculation in January, and despite his lack of playing time remained at the club. It is expected that Ansu Fati will once again be up for a move in the summer transfer window, even though Joan Laporta insists the Guinea-Bissau-born player is wanted by the club because he “Makes the relationship in the locker room very good as everybody is happy”
Lamine Yamal With One More Similarity to Lionel Messi
Lamine Yamal, just like Lionel Messi in his early Barca days, currently wears the jersey number 19, but according to Laporta, that could all change as the club prepares to announce his official new contract in July:
“That will be discussed internally, he chose 19 and we will see what choice he makes”
Joan Laporta insists Barcelona is the best team for Lamine Yamal as he is catalan and a cute to the core and reports in Spain accept the Equatorial Guinea born player will sign a long term deal with a 1 billion euro release clause to prevent a repeat of the Neymar fiasco and discourage future suitors from attempting to poach the player.
Lionel Messi is arguably Barcelona’s greatest ever player, leading the club to 35 major trophies in his time. Lamine Yamal has often detached himself from comparison with the Argentine legend, but the similarities in style of play and treatment from the club are too immense to ignore in this moment.
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