In a recent interview with Simplemente Futbol, Lionel Messi showered praise on Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, calling him one of the world’s elite talents at just 17 years old.

The Argentine icon, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, expressed awe at Yamal’s achievements, particularly his role in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.

Messi’s words carry immense weight, and his recognition of Yamal signals the emergence of a potential heir to the throne of global football stardom.

Yamal, born in 2007, has already etched his name into football history.

A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he debuted for Spain’s senior national team in 2023 at the tender age of 16, becoming the youngest player ever to represent and score for La Roja.

His meteoric rise continued at Euro 2024, where he played a pivotal role in Spain securing their fourth European Championship title.

Yamal’s standout performances earned him the tournament’s Young Player Award, a testament to his ability to shine on the biggest stages despite his youth.

Messi noted that Yamal is still developing, predicting that the winger will only add more dimensions to his already impressive game, much like Messi himself did over his illustrious career.

What makes Yamal’s story even more compelling is his versatility and skill set.

As a left-footed forward, he excels as a right-winger, using his vision, passing, and flair to create scoring opportunities.

His record-breaking feats in La Liga—such as being Barcelona’s youngest starter, assist provider, and goal scorer—highlight his readiness to compete at the highest level.

Messi’s acknowledgment of Yamal’s “incredible qualities” underscores the teenager’s potential to dominate football for years to come.

The comparison to Messi is inevitable, but Yamal is carving his own path. His 2023 Kopa Trophy win, awarded to the world’s best under-21 player, places him in elite company, with Messi himself having claimed the Golden Boy award in 2005.

Yamal’s journey, however, is just beginning. As Messi put it, the 17-year-old is in a “growth process,” and the football world eagerly awaits his next steps.

With endorsements from the sport’s greatest icon and a trophy cabinet already brimming for his age, Lamine Yamal is poised to redefine what it means to be a young superstar in modern football.

Keep an eye on this prodigy—he’s only getting started.