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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Senior breakthrough made at age of 15</li><li>Has rewritten the history books since then</li><li>Forever compared to Barca great Messi</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal told he boasts ‘total genius’ of Lionel Messi but is fortunate to be playing in the right era

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<p>At <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-blocked-debut-even-earlier-record-euro-2024-winner-senior-bow-15/blt56d0d905a3399acb" target="_blank">just 15 years of age, La Masia academy graduate Yamal burst onto the senior scene</a> in Catalunya. There has been no stopping him from there, with the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-lamine-yamal-ahead-cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goats-nowhere-near-barcelona-wonderkid-level-17/bltcf1c91113b92f0d5" target="_blank">record books being rewritten on a regular basis</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The talented teenager is now a European Championship winner and holder of prestigious Kopa Trophy and Golden Ball awards. It is considered to be only a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/even-better-than-lionel-messi-barcelona-scout-bold-lamine-yamal-prediction-teenage-wonderkid-tipped-eclipse-argentine-goat/bltc0ab72e4a47e4fa5" target="_blank">matter of time before he lands a first Ballon d’Or</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Such success would see him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-cant-be-compared-lionel-messi-another-13-years/blt8ffbaeff9724aafa" target="_blank">follow in the footsteps of eight-time Golden Ball winner</a> Messi, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/every-time-they-see-a-left-footed-winger-barcelona-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-explains-why-he-will-continue-to-ignore-lionel-messi-comparisons/blt6610d860cf726526" target="_blank">comparisons between the two seemingly never far away</a>. Makelele can appreciate that discussion, but says Yamal is lucky to be playing at a time in which his ability is allowed to flourish.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Former France international Makelele - who spent time among the ‘Galacticos’ in Spain at Real Madrid, while also representing the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in his playing days - has told <a href="https://www.betmgm.co.uk/ " target="_blank"><em>BetMGM</em></a>: “In my time, you couldn’t play at 17, you got kicked too much and it just didn’t happen. It’s different now, if you’re good enough it doesn’t matter how young you are.
</p><p>“The boy is a genius - to have a brain like he does and to do what he’s doing at such a young age is unbelievable. He’s like [Lionel] Messi when he started. I remember playing against Messi for Chelsea and he absolutely killed us – Lamal reminds me of him. You can say anything you want about him and it’s all fair. He’s a total genius.”</p>

WHAT CLAUDE MAKELELE SAID

<p>Yamal has missed out on Champions League glory in 2025, after suffering an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/we-won-t-stop-lamine-yamal-emotional-champions-league-vow-to-barcelona-fans-heartbreaking-semi-final-defeat-to-inter/blt959e1b5fb812c083" target="_blank">agonising semi-final defeat to Inter in that competition</a>, but remains on course to help Barca recapture the Liga title - with a Clasico clash against arch-rivals Real next on the agenda.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LAMINE YAMAL?

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal told he boasts ‘total genius’ of Lionel Messi but is fortunate to be playing in the right era | Goal.com

Claude Makelele considers Lamine Yamal to boast the “total genius” of Lionel Messi, but has explained why the Barcelona starlet is a touch fortunate.

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