What does it take for Lamine Yamal to reach the heights of football legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has mapped out the path.
Throughout history, countless players have been labeled “the next big thing.” But how often does a 17-year-old spark this level of conversation? Yamal has taken the football world by storm, impressing fans, analysts, and legends alike. Many now believe he has the potential to stand alongside the all-time greats — Messi and Ronaldo included. And his coach isn’t holding back from guiding him toward that goal.
Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of sensational since the very beginning of his career. But the buzz hit new heights after his magical performance in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan. Even Inter’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, was blown away, saying, “A talent like this comes once in 50 years.”
Barcelona returns to the pitch on Saturday to face relegation-battling Real Valladolid in La Liga, and Yamal might be rested for that fixture. But the excitement around him shows no signs of slowing down.
Ahead of the match, Flick laid out what he expects from the young star — and how Yamal can rise to greatness.
“He knows what I want from him. When someone plays football at this level, they must show it consistently. It’s not just about one match. No matter how good a player is, there is always room to improve — and he has to do that.”
“It’s not just about talent. The kind of genius he is… To reach the level of players like Ronaldo, Messi, and other greats, hard work is also necessary.”
Still, Flick called for calm amid all the hype. He believes Yamal has the right mindset to stay grounded and focused.
“We all need to remain calm and wait. We’re very happy he plays for us, and the level of football he’s producing at 17 is unbelievable.”
“But he knows how much he has to work to maintain this level and grow from good to even better. I believe that’s exactly what he wants. There’s no limit to being good.”
So far this season, Yamal has scored 15 goals and directly assisted 24 more — staggering numbers for a player his age.
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