Barcelona are hoping to see Lamine Yamal become the next Lionel Messi, but accept that the 16-year-old wonderkid faces a different set of challenges.
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Stepped out of La Masia academy systemBroken records at senior levelFollowing in footsteps of Argentine iconWHAT HAPPENED?
La Masia academy graduate Yamal has sent records tumbling since bursting onto the senior scene in Catalunya. He has rewritten the history books with Barca and the Spain national team, making it impossible for his precocious talent to be ignored.
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Barca have plenty of experience when it comes to nurturing such potential, with eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi among the previous teenage hopefuls to have stepped out of their famed youth system en route to becoming a global superstar.
WHAT DECO SAID ABOUT YAMAL
Yamal is treading a similar path, but sporting director Deco has told of why the hot prospect in the present faces a tougher task than those of the recent past: “We are facing something different that we have to take care of. The good thing about Leo was that he had a team that didn’t demand anything from him, he played in an atmosphere of growth because during the first few years he didn’t have any responsibility. When it was his turn to take it on, he already had all the experience. We will try to let Lamine grow with a bit of calm.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?
Yamal has taken the Messi comparisons in his stride, with the youngster seemingly immune to pressure. The good news for Barcelona is that there is still plenty to come from him, as he gains more experience, while he has also been tied to a contact through to 2026.
