Lamine Yamal proved what a generational talent he is with another scintillating solo strike for Barcelona on his 100th appearance.
The 17-year-old, who debuted for Barcelona at just 15, was rumored to have sustained an injury during the warm-up ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan. However, he was deemed fit to start under Hansi Flick.
Barcelona had a disastrous beginning, conceding a stunning flicked goal from Marcus Thuram just 30 seconds in, followed by a second from Denzel Dumfries.
Gradually, the home side found their rhythm, with Yamal beginning to take control and attack the Inter defense.
In the 24th minute, the Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament collected the ball on the right, weaved through defenders, and effortlessly curled a shot off the post and in, cutting the deficit.
The strike marked the Spain international’s 15th goal of the season and electrified the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Fearless as ever, Yamal almost scored a sensational second goal just moments later, twisting Federico Dimarco inside out before forcing Yann Sommer into a fingertip save that pushed the ball onto the crossbar.
Since breaking into the Barcelona first team, Yamal has racked up an astonishing 22 goals and 33 assists, quickly establishing himself as a future global superstar.
Ferran Torres, stepping in for the injured Robert Lewandowski, equalized just before the break, converting a cushioned header from Raphinha to make it 2-2.
Wearing the iconic No.19 jersey once donned by Lionel Messi, Yamal has drawn frequent comparisons to Barcelona’s all-time top scorer—and for good reason.
Even Messi himself, who once posed for a photo with Yamal as a baby, has heaped praise on the teenage sensation.
“What Lamine Yamal is doing is remarkable… he’s already won the Euros with Spain,” Messi told Simplemente Fútbol. “He’s still only 17 and developing, but like I did, he’ll continue improving and adding to his game. He’s got incredible talent and is already among the world’s best.”
