At just 17, Lamine Yamal is arguably not the world`s absolute best player *yet*. However, the mere fact that this point even warrants discussion for someone so young underscores his truly extraordinary talent. As the crucial final weeks of the season unfold, Yamal is rapidly cementing his place among the leading contenders to inherit the crown of football`s premier player in the post-Lionel Messi era.
Regardless of age, Yamal`s performance this season has been remarkably impressive. Particularly in La Liga, he stands out as one of the league`s top performers. His 12 assists lead his closest competitor, Raphinha, by three, and he also holds an advantage over his teammate in expected assisted goals (xAG), a metric tracking the quality of chances he directly creates for others. When it comes to delivering the ball into the most dangerous attacking areas, no player does so with Yamal`s consistency. He has completed 83 passes into the penalty area, significantly ahead of Pedri, who is second with 68. He also leads the league in goal-creating actions and shot-creating actions – the list of his statistical dominance continues.
Simply put, the 17-year-old has been the most effective creator in the Spanish top flight this season.
You could make an equally strong case for his ball progression abilities. Yamal is crucial in advancing Barcelona into positions where he can operate effectively, leading La Liga in successful take-ons. He is second only to Vinicius Junior in carries that are both progressive and enter the penalty area.
Beyond the statistics – which are enough to excite analytics enthusiasts – what truly amazes observers are the moments that completely defy his age. It sometimes feels as though the young player from Rocafonda has absorbed the entirety of football history, instinctively knowing the correct decision without needing the trial-and-error process most players go through during development.
Consider his goal that compounded Borussia Dortmund`s misery in Barcelona`s 4-0 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg victory earlier this month. Put through by Raphinha, he seemed to instantly grasp that his slightly heavy first touch would invite Ramy Bensebaini to attempt a tackle. There was no time to pause and shoot, and pushing the ball away from the defender would likely narrow the angle and slow the attack.
In less time than it takes to describe, Yamal concluded that the optimal solution was a delicate flick of his toe, diverting the ball with such precision that goalkeeper Gregor Kobel could do little but admire. Again, he is only 17 years old.
Then there are the numerous exquisite chips to the far post and outside-of-the-boot crosses, the most notable being a stunning 40-yard delivery that set up Raphinha for a prime scoring opportunity. There are many more examples, often produced while sprinting at full speed down the flank. Many seasoned professionals never manage to strike a ball across their body with the routine skill Yamal displays. This ability also reflects a developing understanding of what the opposition will and won`t concede. Everyone remembers that goal in the Euro 2024 semifinal. If he isn`t allowed to shoot and is being forced down the line, he will still find a way to exploit his stronger foot.
After reviewing all of this, you might wonder what could possibly hinder his contention for individual accolades like the Ballon d`Or. For now, at least, it`s primarily his goal tally. A return of 14 goals in 47 games across all competitions is certainly respectable, especially when complemented by 22 assists. However, his shot selection is one area where Yamal`s youth is most apparent. He exhibits that characteristic young winger tendency to take a shot whenever the opportunity arises – and given his talent (see Euro 2024), you can understand why he backs himself – leading to a significant number of efforts that are, shall we say, optimistic. The graphic below illustrates this with many small red dots.
There is no reason to believe that a player with his composure and rapid progress won`t iron out this particular issue relatively soon. Most coaches would agree it is much easier to coach poor shot choices out of a player`s game than to instill the confidence and willingness to shoot. And with 4.19 shots per 90 minutes equating to 0.31 expected goals (xG) per 90, Yamal certainly doesn`t need encouragement to pull the trigger.
A few more goals and a few fewer low-percentage shots – that`s essentially all that separates Yamal from being considered a truly elite, best-in-the-game attacker. This development could very well be complete before he even finishes his teenage years. All of this naturally leads to the questions that will inevitably be asked about this player before long: How does he compare to the all-time greats? Was he better at this age than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were?
The answer remains speculative. In his age 17 season, Messi was primarily an observer as Frank Rijkaard`s Barcelona dominated La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo didn`t turn 18 until he had already caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. Even prodigious talents who broke through early, like Kylian Mbappé and Wayne Rooney, were at best showing flashes of brilliance at this age. By the time he turns 18 in July, Yamal may have accumulated 5,000 La Liga minutes, played 24 Champions League games, and potentially added La Liga and Champions League winner`s medals to any accolades from Euro 2024.
If you are searching for players who achieved anything particularly comparable to Yamal`s level at such a tender age, your best comparison points are likely found by examining the early careers of South American legends. Ronaldo Nazário was tearing through defenses for Cruzeiro, Diego Maradona was earning the moniker El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Kid), and Pelé was setting major tournament records that Yamal might one day emulate.
Of course, it will take the better part of two decades before it becomes truly clear whether Yamal belongs in the same historical discourse as the aforementioned icons. While their careers were outstanding, the paths of Rooney and even to some extent the Brazilian Ronaldo serve as cautionary tales about the potential pitfalls that can affect a player with immense early attributes. Moreover, this says nothing of the physical strain that accumulating so many minutes at such a young age could impose on any player`s body.
Being on the verge of becoming the world`s best player at just 17 is a remarkable achievement; however, maintaining that status for a decade and a half, as the true greats did, is an entirely different challenge. At least Yamal certainly has plenty of time on his side.
