The first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals between Barcelona and Inter, which ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw on Wednesday, featured numerous memorable moments. Prominent among them was another statement performance from Lamine Yamal, which served as clear evidence that he is not merely a promising talent for the future but is already performing at the level of the game`s current elite players.
Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona`s potent attacking display. He registered four shots and created two scoring opportunities as the home side netted three times against Inter. The 17-year-old had a significant moment himself, scoring in the 24th minute with a flash of individual brilliance that initiated Barcelona`s comeback from a two-goal deficit. This was just the latest match in which Yamal`s performance left many observers speechless, including football legend Thierry Henry.
“What I witnessed tonight from Lamine Yamal… it`s not normal to be like that at 17,” Henry commented during the post-match analysis show, UEFA Champions League Today. He clarified that his admiration wasn`t solely for Yamal`s skill on the ball but extended to his remarkable awareness, composure, vision for the game, and willingness to defend and apply pressure. “It`s just not normal,” Henry stressed. He found the statistic of Yamal having already played 100 senior matches at his age particularly “stupid, really.” Henry added, “I don`t even know what I`m watching, what I`m witnessing, but he played like a man possessed, and when I say `a man,` he`s not even a man yet, technically. It`s just not normal.”
Statistical data supports Henry`s claim that Yamal operates at a different level compared to most players his age. In his first 100 senior club appearances, he has directly contributed to 50 goals (22 goals, 28 assists). This is closely comparable to Lionel Messi`s record of 56 contributions (41 goals, 15 assists) at the same stage of his career and significantly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo`s tally of 27 (13 goals, 14 assists). It`s important to note that both Ronaldo and Messi were older than Yamal when they reached the 100-game milestone, and Messi had only played a mere seven games for Barcelona by the time he was Yamal`s current age.
His exceptional record is complemented by his flair and ability to entertain, aspects he is happy to describe as characteristic of his playing style.
“I like playing in a way that other people enjoy,” Yamal stated in an interview featured on the UEFA Champions League Today post-match show.
Yamal`s accumulation of trophies at such a tender age is equally impressive. He played a pivotal role in Spain`s triumph at last year`s Euros and was again crucial when Barcelona recently secured the Copa del Rey. Should Barcelona achieve the treble this season – a distinct possibility given their lead in La Liga and continued presence in the Champions League – Yamal would be a highly deserving recipient of such honors. He is quickly establishing himself as one of the game`s top players, potentially stepping into the immense void left by Messi and Ronaldo as their legendary careers draw to a close.
Henry mused on the perpetual emergence of talent in football. “One thing that always amazes me in football is you always think that there`s no way that someone is going to be better [than Messi or Ronaldo],” he said. “And then Yamal arrives, and then you have a new guy in Argentina, [Franco] Mastantuono that plays for River Plate, already winning that derby game on the free kick against Boca Juniors. That`s why football is amazing.” Henry reiterated his amazement at Yamal`s age, noting it was the same age he made his own professional debut. “It`s just crazy what he`s doing. It`s just not normal,” Henry stated. He concluded, “But look, it`s great to see that there`s a new guy coming, a new guy on the block that looks like he might be dominating, and I wish that for him. Let`s not put him under pressure and say he should be on the throne or whatever.”
Jersey Swap?
The segment concluded with a lighthearted exchange. Henry mentioned plans to be in Barcelona for El Clasico in May and expressed a hope to obtain Yamal`s jersey for his son. Yamal graciously agreed but humorously requested one of Henry`s shirts in return, specifying that either a Barcelona or Arsenal jersey would be perfectly acceptable.
