After Messi’s departure in 2021, Barcelona heavily missed the electric flair and wizardry on the right flank. However, Lamine Yamal has amazingly managed to replicate a portion of Messi’s genius and has dismantled many top-notch defenses with his skills this season. Let’s dive into this talk.
Sticking to the Right Has Been Yamal’s Weapon of Destruction
Lamine Yamal, at 17, is a starter for Barcelona, and the golden boy has played almost his whole career on the right, and it has worked wonders for him. Yamal has turned this flank into an action-filled side and drifts past defenders frequently in this lane. He loves to cut inside onto his lethal left foot and ambush defenses.
The defenders know what’s coming but are still powerless to stop him. At such a young age, Yamal owns the right flank for Barca and the Spanish national team. Sometimes, even two or three defenders try to mark him, but it’s mostly helpless for them. Ask Ferland Mendy or France’s Theo Hernandez; they have felt Yamal’s heat on the right. They’ll tell you what it’s like.
Yamal’s Crossing Priorities: Whipped Balls or Trivela?
Like most wingers, Lamine Yamal loves to pass the ball from the right or center. However, the youngster prefers to execute his trademark trivela to Raphinha or Lewandowski rather than whip balls in the box. It’s pure sorcery when correctly executed because it bypasses defenders like an absolute cheat code.
The ball swerves and dips, sticks to the running forward, and slices defenses apart. Maybe the trivela has become a bit predictable lately, but it’s a sight to watch when executed precisely. In short, the soon-to-be Barca No. 10 loves to pass and has 21 assists this season (all competitions).
Yamal’s Ultimate Weapon: Charismatic Dribbling
The Euro 2024 win for Yamal was a true statement, as the kid’s performances showed he isnt a fluke. The La Masia star’s dribbling skills became a major talk as defenders were destroyed by his amazing balance and dribbling. Yamal continued to shine his dribbling skills in club football, and now has become one of the most dangerous dribblers in the world.
Yamal has used his skills to even turn the mighty Bernabeu into his playground, and made even the elitest defenders look clumsy. His ability to glide past players and create chaos is special. It’s beautiful, and has been the point of difference for the Catalans many times this season.