TThis is a bold comparison between Lamine Yamal and Leo Messi. But at the same time, it’s not a comparison between Lamine Yamal and Leo Messi. One is in his fourth season at Barcelona, while the other has spent 17 years winning titles.
Lamine took his first steps in Europe, and Leo won at least four Champions League trophies. This list of small achievements is enough to make the point indisputable. However, it is worth mentioning, and the data shows that, the influence of the Roca Fonda winger in the first four seasons has already exceeded that of the Argentine in the same period.
Lamine Yamal’s amazing goal for FC Barcelona recreated in a popular video game
Lamine Yamal scored his first career hat-trick against Villarreal, surpassing the number of goals scored by Messi in his first four seasons. And there are still a few months left until the Catalan finishes the tournament. Lamine reached 43 goals, one more than Leo scored between his debut in 2004-05 and 2007-08. In terms of assists, Lamine directly doubled the number of assists for the Argentine in this period, recording 48 assists compared to 24 for the “flea”.
But let’s go back to the beginning. The development of both players since their introduction to the first team has followed similar paths, with the exception of Lamine making his debut at the age of 15 years, 9 months and 16 days, while Messi’s debut was at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 22 days. Almost two years apart. Everyone remembers Messi’s first goal against Albacete with a great assist from Ronaldinho. Until that day, Messi had to play nine competitive matches for Barcelona. Lamine opened his account with two more matches. It was against Granada at Los Cármenes, and although it was a comeback start, it ended in a draw.
Since then, the two have increased their presence and importance within the team. In the first year of landing, the number of matches is small, in the second year of transition, and in the next two years he has already become an important figure in the team. Lamine’s influence was greater due to the background and circumstances of the club. While Messi was playing under the protection of notable players like Ronaldinho, the Roca Fonda player had to take over the attack from an early stage. Only Lewandowski’s goal-scoring instincts and Rafinha’s outburst last season relieved him of premature responsibility.
Similar record to Champions League debut
Both had memorable nights in the early Champions League. Lamine played against Inter in the semi-finals last season. Messi faced a tough draw at Stamford Bridge, which marked the beginning of his path to glory. Leo won his first Champions League there, but an unexpected injury forced him to stop playing after the quarter-finals. When it comes to titles, here are the main differences between the two over the past four years. Leo won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and the aforementioned Champions League. Lamine has already won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and the Copa del Rey in his fourth season, although everything is yet to be decided. In other words, winning the title this season would have already surpassed Leo’s early record at Barça, at least in terms of numbers. The Champions League is just around the corner because there is a big difference between winning and not winning.
The numbers are similar in the Champions League. Both have scored eight goals in the Champions League in their first four seasons, with Lamine yet to score, but Leo has scored two goals in eight knockout matches, while Lamine has three goals and two assists in 10 knockout matches so far.
He showed a great performance against his eternal rival.
Great stars, especially those who play for Barcelona, are also judged by their performances against their eternal rivals. Lamine Yamal has nothing to envy. We insist on what Messi has achieved in his first four seasons. The Argentine played in four Clasicos and scored four goals. Memorably, he scored his first hat-trick as a Barcelona player in a match against Van Nistelrooy, who scored two goals. The 3-3 draw confirmed the first great exhibition in a great scenario for the Argentine star. Lamine, on the other hand, has already played in eight Clasicos, scoring three goals and providing two assists, making his mark with a fantastic goal at the Bernabéu and a superb display in the last Copa del Rey final that helped them win the title.
Both men won the title from the get-go and quickly made their names known in Europe, tormenting their eternal rivals from the first moment. The road to reaching Lionel Messi is long and too difficult, but if there is anyone who can dream of reaching that level of excellence, it is Lamine Yamal. For now, his beginnings are as promising as, if not more than, that of Barcelona’s great legend.
