‘A talent that comes along every 50 years’ – ‘genius’ Yamal steals show

Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old Lionel Messi, said he would not compare himself to him, and he did so in one of the Champions League’s greatest semi-finals.

He was later referred to as “a genius,” “a cheat code,” and “a phenomenal talent.”

In their epic first-leg encounter, Barca and Inter Milan ended up drawing 3-3 with visiting full-back Denzel Dumfries scoring twice and winning the match’s MVP.

Yamal, 17, who scored his 22nd goal in his eminently 100th Barcelona game, will make the most of the world’s attention.

After Inter had led 2-0 in the 21st minute, he performed a masterclass, especially in the first half, which gave him a fantastic comeback.

In the Euro 2024 final four last summer, Yamal won with a stylish Champions League semi-final goal to go with one. One of the best players in the world, unquestionably, before turning 18

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a 45-minute clip from a single person before in my life.” As the players left the pitch at half-time, Ally McCoist, a TNT Sports pundit, said, “It is unbelievable.”

Following that, Simone Inzaghi, Inter Milan’s manager, praised Yamal the most.

He said, “Seeing him up close is the kind of talent that comes along every 50 years.”

He caused us a lot of trouble because we had to give in to his needs and that wasn’t enough.

He is unique, genius, according to Barca boss Hansi Flick. He appears in big matches.

I’m glad it’s for Barcelona, Simone said, “If it only comes every 50 years.”

He was described as a potential Ballon d’Or winner by BBC journalist Stephen Warnock.

Before the game, Yamal appeared to hurt his groin and traveled down the tunnel during the warm-up, with rumors that he might not play.

Before Inter led 2-0 thanks to Marcus Thuram’s 30-second backheel flick from a Dumfries cross and Dutchman Dumfries’ flying close-range volley, he did start but he hardly had an impact.

But then Yamal, who was being double-marked, came to life, beating a few Inter players before delivering the ball with astonishing ease and confidence.

Moments later, he beat more defenders on the byeline and fired a shot past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, which was a penalty.

After the break, Ferran Torres’ excellent teamwork brought Barca level before the break.

Dumfries’ header, however, gave the Italian side a second lead before Dumfries’ header.

However, as a result of Yamal’s deft dumming of a pass, Raphinha lashed in from 25 yards, which hit the bar, and went in off Sommer’s for an own goal, just as Barca was level again.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had made it 4-3 to Inter, but a slight offside prevented him from scoring.

How much Yamal has accomplished in his younger years is beyond comprehension.

His 100th goal for Spain came in this, his 22nd overall, and his 100th goal in that club.

Yamal also contributed 27 assists, including two in Real Madrid’s extra-time Copa del Rey victory on Saturday.

Messi and Ronaldo, the two greatest players of this generation, did not make their international debuts until the age of 18, while Yamal won Euro 2024 the following year.

Before turning 18, Messi scored five goals, with Ronaldo scoring five.

Yamal is the youngest La Liga player at Barcelona (15 years old) and the youngest player to score and contribute for any team.

Additionally, he holds records for the youngest Champions League starter, youngest player to score in a knockout game, quarter-final, and semi-final.

By Yamal’s age, very few players have had the same kind of impact in the game. In July, he will turn 18 years old.

He appears to be the greatest footballer in history, having played for Inter Miami before him and being the closest thing to Barcelona and Argentina great Messi.

Both players play on the right wing and both graduated from Barca Academy, La Masia.

In the run-up to the game, Yamal told reporters, “I don’t compare myself to him, because I don’t compare myself to anyone,” while also praising the Argentine as “the best player in history,” “I don’t compare myself to anyone, because I don’t compare myself to anyone.”

However, Messi was only very young and promising, compared to Messi’s reputation as one of the best in the world at the age of 17.

Yamal continued, “I don’t think the comparison makes sense, with Messi even less. I’m going to enjoy myself and be myself.”

However, he shares an unusual relationship with Messi, who he first encountered when he was a child.

A photo was taken during the 2007 Nou Camp photo shoot for the Barcelona charity calendar.

Yamal was a 20-year-old Messi who helped him take a bath in the movie. Really, I guess.

Lamine’s family lived in Mataro, where Unicef held a raffle for money.

Rio Ferdinand, an ex-England defender, said, “We walked down to the city center and you could tell there is a superstar in this town right now, in Lamine Yamal.”

The footage from Yamal captivated the audience.

Former Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and England international Owen Hargreaves called him a “cheat code” on TNT.

I just want to see Lamine Yamal score the ball, he continued, “and everyone else gets out of the way.”

Watching BBC’s Champions League Match of the Day, former Liverpool and England defender Warnock remarked, “He was unplayable at times. His aim was outrageous.

“Watching Yamal is ridiculous. You are aware of what he consistently wants to do: enter with his left foot. You overcompensate, and he can actually put a decent ball in with his right foot, and he can drag it with his left foot as well.

I adore watching him because he has a phenomenal talent.

Watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 to eve of the match.