For over 15 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the soccer world, however their absence from this yr’s Ballon d’Or ceremony has left followers and pundits eagerly speculating about who will take up the mantle. With a number of younger stars rising, a former Actual Madrid participant and Spanish teammate has now singled out Lamine Yamal as their pure successor.
Álvaro Morata, who shared the locker room with Ronaldo throughout Actual Madrid’s UEFA Champions League victories in 2014 and 2017, lately lifted the 2024 EURO trophy with Yamal, who was one of many standout gamers. In an interview with The Athletic, Morata was effusive in his reward for {the teenager}, predicting that Yamal has the potential to change into Spain’s greatest-ever participant.
“Each 20 or 30 years one or two emerge like Cristiano and Messi. For me, he’s acquired every part it takes to make historical past. I’m satisfied that if he doesn’t change into the best participant in Spain’s historical past, he’ll positively be one in every of them. He already made historical past with us by successful the Euro. He was 16 when the match began…,” the striker mentioned.
Morata additionally highlighted Yamal’s maturity regardless of his younger age: “He’s acquired a really clear thought about what he desires to do. He’s acquired a whole lot of character and has every part in entrance of him. Actually I’ve by no means seen something prefer it. I’ve by no means seen a participant prefer it. One coaching session was sufficient to understand he’s completely different, that’s he one of many ‘fenomeni‘.”
“…I hope he retains this up as a result of he’s my team-mate, as a result of he could make me win extra issues with the nationwide group and since my children wish to meet him, get to know him, go watch the video games and all that,” Morata added, desirous to see the younger Barcelona star make his mark in soccer.
Yamal’s age and early achievements in comparison with Messi
Lionel Messi made his skilled debut for FC Barcelona at 17 years and 114 days outdated towards Espanyol in 2004. As of as we speak (11/4/2024), Lamine Yamal has matched that age milestone. Nevertheless, Yamal has already amassed 82 senior appearances and received two main trophies—the 2022-23 La Liga title and the 2024 EURO—surpassing Messi’s early profession achievements at Barcelona.
This season, Yamal has established himself as one of many starters in coach Hansi Flick system. The winger has performed in 15 video games, scoring six objectives and offering eight assists, serving to place Barcelona as critical title contenders in La Liga.
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