At 17, Lamine Yamal is giving Barcelona and the Spanish national team reasons to believe. Despite his young age, the bright prospect from La Masía is already drawing comparisons with other talents that emerged from the Barça academy, including Lionel Messi.
Although the young player feels flattered by that conversation, he also made it clear that his biggest idol is Neymar, who shone with Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.
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“These are comparisons that people make on their own, but no one compares to Messi. I try to play my game without pressure. I’ve always said that the best in history is Leo Messi, but the one I liked to watch was Neymar,” Yamal told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.
Months ago, he had commented something similar in an interview with Mundo Deportivo: “He made me watch Barcelona’s matches. I had fun, it was a spectacle, it was enjoyable to see him play.”
In this year’s European Championship, Yamal once again demonstrated his admiration for the Brazilian by celebrating goals with a dance typical of Neymar.
Ney’s influence is undeniable, and the impact he has on other footballers explains why his legacy goes beyond any title or feat he may have achieved throughout his illustrious career.
