Former Barcelona star Emmanuel Petit has expressed his belief that Lamine Yamal is destined to exceed Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or achievements during his career. At just 17 years old, Yamal is expected to take over Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey at Barcelona starting from the 2025-26 season. This transition positions him as a potential heir to Messi’s legacy at the Spanish club.
In an interview with EscapistMagazine, Petit highlighted why Yamal reminds him of Messi and why the young Spanish talent is poised to surpass the Argentine legend’s record. Petit praised Yamal’s remarkable maturity and skill for his age, emphasizing the player’s ambition to compete for the Ballon d’Or multiple times.
“With Ansu Fati going on loan to Monaco they are a team to watch, but I assume that Lamine Yamal wants to be like Lionel Messi which is partly why he wants the 10 shirt. He plays on the right wing and there are some similarities, 10 is a special number for Barcelona and he will also be keen to fight for the Ballon d’Or. I think the Ballon d’Or is his main reason for wanting the number 10, he is 17 and he is already thinking about it, he is a tremendous footballer. I can’t name a player that has been as impressive as him at his age, every time he touches the ball something happens. You’d think he was 28 and in his prime.” —Emmanuel Petit, Former Barcelona Player
Petit explained that Yamal’s playing style and confidence are beyond his years, describing how effortlessly the young forward navigates games. He compared Yamal’s skill level to a video game, underlining the exceptional future awaiting the teenager.
“He dribbles past players like it’s the PlayStation and he makes defenders look like cones, he has such a high ceiling, he could become even better than Messi. Messi won eight Ballons d’Or, Yamal will have motivation to go even further, he’s a joy to watch.” —Emmanuel Petit, Former Barcelona Player
Legacy of The Number 10 Shirt at Barcelona and Yamal’s Rising Role
After Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona in 2021, Ansu Fati was regarded as Messi’s successor and inherited the number 10 jersey. However, with Fati’s recent loan move to AS Monaco, the iconic number 10 has become available, seemingly earmarked for Lamine Yamal. This development has intensified expectations on Yamal to carry forward Messi’s legacy.
Since breaking through at Barcelona, Yamal has handled the comparisons to Messi with maturity, impressing fans and critics alike. His progress has made him one of the brightest young talents on the global stage, raising hopes that he might replicate or even surpass Messi’s illustrious accomplishments in the coming years.
Yamal’s future aspirations include chasing the Ballon d’Or, with the next award ceremony in 2025 representing an early milestone on his path to greatness.
Estevao Willian Shares Ambitions to Compete Among Football’s Best
Alongside Lamine Yamal, Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian has revealed his own dreams of vying for the Ballon d’Or in the future. Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ due to his playing style and comparisons with Messi, the 18-year-old is swiftly gaining recognition as one of Brazil’s standout talents.
During the FIFA Club World Cup, Estevao discussed his hopes of rivaling Yamal and fellow rising star Franco Mastantuono for football’s top individual accolade. He expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of competing at the highest level alongside his peers.
“I sincerely hope so. We’re all the same age, and it would be incredible and very interesting to find ourselves in that situation.” —Estevao Willian, Brazilian Footballer
Estevao recently participated in the Club World Cup as part of Palmeiras, where his team was eliminated by Chelsea in the quarterfinals. Following the tournament, he will rejoin his new club in the Premier League to continue his development.
Emerging Rivalries and the Future of Football’s Elite Prizes
The rising generations of footballers such as Lamine Yamal, Estevao Willian, and Franco Mastantuono signal a vibrant future for the sport’s most prestigious awards. Petit’s prediction of Yamal potentially surpassing Messi’s Ballon d’Or tally reflects the high expectations resting on young stars across various leagues and continents.
As Barcelona prepares to entrust Yamal with the symbolic number 10 jersey, a role once held by Messi, the club and fans alike anticipate a new era defined by youthful brilliance. The upcoming seasons will be critical in determining if Yamal can fulfill his promise and redefine the sport’s greatest records.
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