FC Barcelona have one of the most talented young squads in Europe and arguably the biggest talent there is in world football at the moment – Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old recently signed a bumper contract with the club and inherited the iconic #10 jersey.
Lamine Yamal has become a brand in a very short span of time. The Spaniard sells jerseys for the club, brings financial benefits, and at the same time, plays on the pitch with the maturity of a 28-year-old. Clearly, he is destined for greatness.
That said, as quick as the rise is, football has shown us in the past that the fall can be even quicker. Fame is not always an easy demon to deal with, and not every player manages to pull off the balance. As Rudyard Kipling would say, if only “you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same”…
Wesley Sneijder on Lamine Yamal
Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder was asked about Lamine Yamal in an interview with the Arab media Winwin-allsports, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, and here is what he had to say:
“If Lamine manages to stay focused and avoid distractions, he can reach the very top. He has extraordinary potential, but he’s still very young. Talent is one thing—determination and discipline are another.”
Wesley Sneijder enjoyed several brilliant years in football, none more so than in 2010, when he had an exceptional individual campaign and finished as a runner-up with the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Lamine – A calm head on young shoulders
Sneijder’s comments about Lamine are spot on. Football has often seen generational talents emerge only to fade away just as quickly, largely due to a lack of work ethic or being distracted from fully dedicating themselves to the beautiful game.
One thing that can be said with some confidence about Lamine is that he seems to have a calm head on his shoulders. Despite his young age and rising fame, he appears highly motivated on the pitch and doesn’t seem easily swayed by the distractions that often come with stardom.
The upcoming season will be crucial for the 18-year-old as he looks to establish himself as one of the best players in the world—if not the best. It remains to be seen how he will fare under Hansi Flick during the 2025/26 campaign.
