1Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Lamine Yamal might only be 16, but within the corridors of La Masia his name has been whispered for some time already. The talk has long been that Barcelona’s famed academy had done the seemingly impossible by conjuring up a worthy successor to Lionel Messi.
It might seem like hyperbole to suggest Yamal will ever reach the level of the World Cup winner, and those that believe that such suggestions are blasphemous are probably right. But there is no doubt that in Yamal, Barca have produced a player who is capable of defining a generation of not just Spanish football, but the global game.
The list of records Yamal has already broken is remarkable; he is the youngest player to ever start for Barcelona, the youngest goalscorer in both Barca and La Liga history, the youngest player to ever start a Champions League match and both the youngest player and goalscorer in Spanish national-team history.
Most comfortable playing off the right-hand side before cutting in onto his stronger left foot, Yamal does play a lot like Messi. His low centre of gravity, willingness to take defenders on and eye for both a pass and a shot are reminiscent of the Argentine. His spectacular winner against Mallorca in early March was also eerily similar to a number of goals that Messi has scored in his career, and there is genuine belief that he is the superstar around whom a new era of Barca success can be built.
Of course, the Blaugrana will need to be careful with Yamal, as their overreliance on teenagers in recent years has led to those youngsters suffering injury problems. But if Yamal can be managed properly, then there isn’t a teenage player of greater potential anywhere in world football right now. He is a truly special talent – and your NXGN 2024 winner.
Link
https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/nxgn-2024-best-wonderkids-football/bltc65fc7aa012056f4
by HouseAlexander
2 comments
Low center of gravity lol 😂
4 on the list. Not bad