Lamine Yamal, the Spain winger, recently revealed that the viral photos of him as a baby with Lionel Messi were kept hidden to avoid drawing parallels with the Barcelona legend. The images, captured in 2007 as Messi bathed a six-month-old Yamal, were not released earlier as his family feared that being compared to Messi could hinder his career progression.
Yamal expressed his thoughts on the situation, mentioning that while being compared to the best player in the game could be seen as an honor, it could also be a burden. Despite the initial efforts to shield him from the comparisons, Yamal’s exceptional performances on the field inevitably led to associations with Messi.
Former Barça coach Xavi Hernández acknowledged the parallels drawn between Yamal and Messi, noting that the young winger displays glimpses of Messi’s playing style. The exposure and success Yamal achieved at such a young age only fueled the comparisons further, despite the initial intention to keep the photos private.
Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared a cropped version of the photos on Instagram, referring to his son and Messi as “two legends in the making.” When asked about Messi’s influence on his son, Mounir humorously replied that perhaps it was Yamal who blessed Messi with his talents, showcasing a father’s pride in his son’s abilities on and off the pitch.
As Yamal continues to shine on the international stage, his impact on Spain’s performances in the Euro tournament has been significant. With crucial goals and assists, Yamal has proven his worth and talent, cementing his status as a rising star in the world of football.
While the intention behind shielding Yamal from early comparisons with Messi was to protect his development and growth as a player, the inevitability of being compared to a footballing icon like Messi highlights the challenges faced by young talents in the sport. Yamal’s journey serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nurturing potential and managing expectations in the competitive world of professional football.