Lamine Yamal and Ansu Fati are one of the best youngsters to rise from La Masia. However, only one of them is showcasing their potential like they were supposed to. Let’s take a look at who has achieved more after graduating from the academy.
Ansu Fati: a victim of the no. 10
Ansu Fati made his first-team debut against Real Betis on August 25, 2019, aged just 16 years, 9 months and 25 days old. Ernesto Valverde took advantage of Barca’s 5-1 lead and introduced a new project in the 78th minute. Welcomed by the applause of Camp Nou, the youngster instantly displayed his potential on the pitch and even came close to scoring.
Flourishing with the first team
Securing 8 goals and an assist in his debut season, Ansu Fati showed great potential on the pitch. The youngster went on to break many records as he became the youngest goal scorer in La Liga’s history for Barca, the youngest goal scorer in Champions League history, the youngest goal scorer for Spain, and the youngest to score a brace in La Liga. The football world knew this was a star in the making and will be leading Barca’s front line in the future.
Injuries and the curse of no.10
On 7th November 2020, Ansu Fati suffered a knee injury against Real Betis; later tests revealed the youngster will be out for 4 months. Since then, Ansu Fati is no longer the same wonder kid anymore. Expectations of fans to perform just as good after returning from injury made the teenager anxious, and a series of injuries that followed did not help either. Currently, Ansu Fati looks to be on his way out by the end of the season.
The Neymar regen Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal, rising through the ranks of La Masia and showing generational talent, caught the eye of Xavi Hernández. Lamine had impressive performances at the La Liga promises tournament, where he was the player of the tournament, scoring 7 goals. For U17 Spain, he continued to shine with a wonder goal vs France. A similar goal, he went on to score against France in the Euros semifinal.
Xavi notices the Greatness
Xavi knew that the kid was special and called him to train with the first team when he was just 15 years old. Lamine patiently waited for his opportunity, and it finally arrived on April 29th, 2023, when Lamine was only 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old. Barca were leading 4-0 against Real Betis and Xavi saw it as the perfect opportunity to introduce the young sensation. So in the 83rd minute, Lamine Yamal came on for Gavi to applause from Culers. In the 11 minutes he had, Lamine impressed everyone by almost scoring and assisting Dembele.
Shining on the international stage
Lamine Yamal went on to become an absolute star for Barcelona and for Spain, leading them to a Euro title at just 17 years of age. A future Ballon d’Or winner, and the future of not just Barcelona and Spain but of football itself. Lamine Yamal is on the track to become one of the greatest players of all time.
Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal were both promising prospects; however, until now, only the younger one is living up to his potential. Although in my opinion, Lamine Yamal always had a higher ceiling than Ansu Fati. Lamine not only has generational dribbling skills and unreal vision but also possesses a maturity that is not normal for his age. He knows exactly when to dribble, when to cut in, and when to play it back to not risk losing possession.