Xavi Hernández has shared the moment he first realised that Lamine Yamal was a once-in-a-generation footballer, recalling how the Barcelona teenager instantly brought back memories of Lionel Messi. The former Barcelona manager also elaborated on why he believes the young Spain international has the right mindset and skills to dominate world football for many years ahead.

Xavi’s first impression of Yamal’s rare talent

Xavi revealed that he recognised Yamal’s exceptional potential the very first time he watched him play for Barcelona’s academy. The excitement surrounding the youngster, he said, reminded him of the buzz that surrounded a young Messi before his senior debut.

After watching footage of Yamal when he was just 15, Xavi became convinced that Barcelona had unearthed a special player. He immediately wanted the young winger to train with the senior squad, even though he was advised to wait until Yamal’s contract situation was finalised.

Why Yamal was different from the start

Reflecting on his initial impressions, Xavi explained that Yamal’s performances at La Masia quickly set him apart from others his age. The ex-Barcelona boss also shared why he was eager to see Yamal integrated into the first team as soon as possible.

“I heard about him around the club before I saw him play. People were talking about this boy – and it reminded me of when everyone spoke about Leo (Messi),” Xavi wrote in his column for The Athletic. “They told me there was a young Argentinian who was unbelievable, and with Lamine, it was practically the same story.”

“The first time I saw him was in a youth match that the club had recorded for us. He was 15, and that day he was outstanding – two assists and one goal. He did everything. I thought, ‘Bloody hell, we don’t have anyone like this up front.’”

Xavi said Yamal’s composure and decision-making surprised everyone at the club. “This boy came to train at 15 and you could already see something special. His dribbling was excellent, his decisions were spot on, and he barely made mistakes,” he said.

“That’s what impressed me most – in the rondos, the positional games, and even the matches with the first team, he didn’t put a foot wrong. We treated him well, offered him a great contract, spoke to his agent, and from there I could give him his debut because I knew he was ready. I could see it clearly.”

Comparisons with Messi and a place among football’s greats

Xavi acknowledged that comparisons with Messi are inevitable since both players are left-footed, play on the right wing, and have the confidence to demand the ball. However, he cautioned against putting too much pressure on Yamal by directly comparing him to the Argentine legend.

“There are many similarities with Leo,” Xavi admitted. “But I don’t think we help the boy by comparing him to the greatest ever – it just adds pressure. Lamine knows he’s special. You can tell when you watch him or spend time with him, just like Leo knew he was different.”

Xavi added, “He’s already a leader on the pitch, making a difference at 18 – something we’ve only seen from Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele, and maybe Ronaldo, ‘O Fenomeno’. At 18, he’s already won three La Liga titles, a European Championship, and is now in the World Cup quarter-finals.”

“He could define an era if his ambition, attitude, and determination stay strong. We’re seeing a player who could become the best of his generation. He’s already among the top five, if not the best. For me, he’s unique. The next 15 to 20 years could belong to Lamine – if he wants them.”

Yamal’s continued rise on the global stage

Lamine Yamal’s meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing down, as he continues to impress for both Barcelona and Spain at an incredibly young age. His immediate focus, however, remains on the 2026 World Cup, where Spain are preparing to face France in the semi-finals after eliminating Belgium in the quarter-finals.