Let’s forget the term ‘future star’, Lamine Yamal is already a superstar at 17. All greats, like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka, showed signs of greatness in their teenage years. However, when modern football arrived in 2017, players evolved even more rapidly. Mbappe and Haaland were already scoring at a fantastic pace at just 17. But Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has turned the tables even further: the kid is contending for the Ballon d’Or at 17. Let’s compare the stats and see why Yamal is a player even farther than a generational talent.
The Teenage Maestro Haaland & Mbappé Couldn’t Match
Halaand, at 17, was a raw and goal-hungry force at Molde. He was strong, a valid number nine, but a creator? Definitely not; he only managed a single assist at the age of 17. Mbappe, at Monaco, was a real entertainer. He was a very direct and explosive winger who racked up an impressive 14 assists. However, if we compare the creation of both these players with that of Yamal, we see that the La Masia star is operating on an entirely different creative plane.
Twenty-five assists this season, the most in Europe, demonstrate that the kid is a playmaking genius at 17. The vision, weight of the passes, and decision-making under pressure that Yamal has are just sublime. These numbers are a real testament to Yamal’s footballing intelligence and creativity at such a young age. At just 17, he is the dictator of the Catalan attack.
Yamal’s Mentality at 17 Supersedes Halaand & Mbappe Easily
Most young prodigies focus on winning a spot in the starting XI or impressing their managers at 17. Mbappe and Haaland were the same, just working hard to score more and win their boss’s trust. Mbappe had one Ligue 1 title at 17, and Haaland had an empty trophy cabinet. But Yamal? He’s already a core part of a trophy-winning machine of Hansi Flick.
The youngster has two La Liga titles already. To top these off, he has 1 Copa del Rey and a couple of Spanish Super Cups as well. And these trophies weren’t just gifts. He made a crucial contribution through goals and assists in these campaigns. This much silverware at 17 screams that the boy has a winner’s mentality. He has already forged a mind of steel before turning 18, as he has been winning since the day he set foot in professional football.
Yamal’s International Pedigree is Just Too Superior
Halaand battled for Norway’s youth teams at 17 years old. Even Mbappe, before winning the FIFA World Cup at 18, awaited his senior France debut at the age of 17. But guess at what age Yamal was called up for his Spanish team debut? You guessed it right, Sweet sixteen.
Just a year later, he has nineteen senior caps, four goals, some match-winning assists and a European Championship. This is staggering. It’s essential to keep in mind that Mbappe’s World Cup explosion did not occur at the age of 16 or 17. Yamal conquered Europe at just 16, and seamlessly announced himself to Europe in the Euros 2024. He showed a composure and readiness for the spotlight that was not demanded of others at the same age.
Final Say
No doubt Mbappe and Haaland have special stories of their own in the footballing world, but Yamal’s saga is just too unique. The La Masia star did not get hype through expensive transfers or PRs; he was simply too good. He has gained unparalleled stardom at 17, and the footballing world awaits. It awaits to see how perfect he gets, as his prime is yet to come and is quite far as of now.
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