Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal has opened up about the ongoing comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, sharing his own ambitions as he continues to make history for both club and country. The 17-year-old has quickly become the symbol of a new generation in Spanish football after playing a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.

Sharing the stage with legends

There is little debate that Yamal has already achieved global recognition. Despite his tender age, the Spanish forward has impressed fans around the world with his extraordinary skill, confidence, and ability to influence major matches. Naturally, comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo began as soon as he broke into top-level football, though the Barcelona player has chosen to steer clear of such debates.

In a conversation with FIFA, Yamal clarified his perspective: “My goal is not to be compared to them, it is to be mentioned alongside them. So the next time someone is asked that question, my name will be there with theirs.”

Concentrating on his personal growth

The Spanish winger also highlighted the importance of focusing on his own progress rather than getting caught up in comparisons. He believes that constant chatter about his potential could become a distraction if he loses sight of his personal evolution both at Camp Nou and on the international stage.

Yamal recently completed an outstanding season with Barcelona, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young talents. “If you get caught up comparing yourself to others, you can shoot yourself in the foot. I want to find my own way, enjoy the game and give people something to smile about. And when I’m retired, I hope people still enjoy going back and watching me play,” he explained.

Aiming high for his nation

Yamal has made it clear that his ultimate “goal” is to match the consistent excellence achieved by Messi and Ronaldo, the two icons who defined football over the last twenty years. He wants his current success to mark the beginning of a lasting career at the top level, not just a brief moment of brilliance. The teenager also emphasised that Spain cannot afford to be complacent despite their recent triumph as European champions.

“It’s funny, because at the EURO it was the other way round. Nobody really had us down as champions, and that worked for us. Being the favourites doesn’t mean anything once you’re on the pitch. It doesn’t give you an edge or help you score more goals. You still have to take it match by match. There are a lot of strong teams – Argentina, France, Portugal, England – and everyone is at their best at the World Cup. For us, it’s about giving everything for Spain and trusting the way we play because, in my book, we play the best football,” Yamal said.

Preparing for the World Cup challenge

Yamal’s next major goal is to feature in his first-ever World Cup. However, there are concerns within the Spanish camp regarding his fitness after he sustained a muscle injury during the closing stages of La Liga. This setback has raised doubts about his availability for the early fixtures of the tournament, with medical staff working tirelessly to aid his recovery.

The current plan suggests he may miss the opening group-stage matches, but the team hopes to have him fit in time for the clash against Uruguay. The medical department is adopting a cautious approach to ensure the youngster does not worsen the injury during the demanding environment of a global competition.