Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal has pointed out his main target while discussing his comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Given Yamal’s stupendous rise to success, the youngster has often been likened to the legends of the game.
Yamal had an impressive run this season, although it was cut short as he picked up a hamstring injury ahead of the World Cup. However, the Spaniard won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona this season, while contributing 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 appearances across competitions. His rise to stardom over the last two seasons has often been lauded by pundits and fans of the game, with frequent comparisons to legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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In an interview with FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Lamine Yamal was asked about these frequent comparisons to Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mbappe. The 18-year-old said:
“My goal isn’t to be compared to them; it’s to be mentioned alongside them. So that the next time you ask someone that question, my name will be in that group. (…) If you get caught up comparing yourself to others, you can shoot yourself in the foot. I want to find my own way, enjoy the game and give people something to smile about. And when I’m retired, I hope people still enjoy going back and watching me play.”
If Spain faces Argentina or Portugal in any round of the World Cup, Lamine Yamal will get the chance to play against either Messi or Ronaldo. The Barcelona prodigy has previously played against Ronaldo in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, where Portugal beat La Roja.
When Thierry Henry likened Lamine Yamal to Cristiano Ronaldo instead of Lionel Messi
While Lamine Yamal has often been compared to Lionel Messi due to his playing style and early days in Barcelona’s academy, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry had likened him to Cristiano Ronaldo instead. In an interview via Mundo Deportivo, he said:
“This is what a young Cristiano Ronaldo used to do: he could speak boldly in interviews and back it up on the pitch. Yamal said he would take Barcelona on single-handedly, and barely two minutes into the match, he had already scored.”
He added:
“If he carries on like this, working hard and staying focused, he has everything it takes to become one of the best in the world. Lionel Messi had incredible talent, but this kind of bold confidence that Yamal possesses is something unique, and it’s thrilling to watch.”
Henry’s comments came after Barcelona’s quarter-final exit to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League this season. Lamine Yamal had made multiple confident comments ahead of the second leg and delivered an excellent performance in the match, despite the Catalans’ eventual loss.
As of now, the Spaniard will focus on recovering for the 2026 World Cup, where he’s expected to miss the first two games. However, Yamal is still expected to be key to La Roja’s journey as he heads to his first-ever World Cup.
Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar
