Lamine Yamal makes something clear on Lionel Messi comparisons after winning La Liga with Barcelona

Lamine Yamal capped off a remarkable 2024–25 campaign with FC Barcelona by helping the team secure the La Liga title on Thursday. After a breakout year that saw him lift three major trophies, the 17-year-old addressed the inevitable comparisons to club legend Lionel Messi.

Following their dramatic El Clasico win over Real Madrid, Barcelona had the chance to seal the league title against Espanyol on Matchday 36. Yamal once again rose to the occasion, opening the scoring with a brilliant top-corner strike in the 53rd minute, ultimately leading his team to a 2–0 victory. Speaking to ESPN after the match, he reflected on the goal that put Barcelona in command.

“In the warm-up, I tried a lot of shots like that, and they all went into the top corner. So when I cut inside, I took the shot with total confidence,” he stated. The goal was yet another high point in a season that also included Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España titles.

“Year after year, you gain experience—especially at 17, there’s always something new to learn. I’m shaping myself as a player, learning from both the younger guys and the veterans,” Yamal stated about what he has learned this season.

Yamal addresses comparisons to Lionel Messi

Lamine Yamal continues to rewrite the record books. With Barcelona’s 2024–25 La Liga title now secured, he becomes the only player to win the league twice before turning 18—a milestone that has only fueled comparisons to Lionel Messi. Naturally, fans are beginning to wonder whether Yamal can maintain this level and evolve into a generational talent year after year. But when asked if his goal is to match Messi’s consistency and trophy haul, Yamal made his intentions clear.

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“My goal is to build my own path. In the end, I want to be myself, I want to write my own story and become my own player, so I don’t look at others. Of course, I’d love to have what Messi had because he’s an incredible player— for me, the best in history—but I want to have my own: my consistency, my style of play.”

Though still in the early stages of his career, Yamal’s mentality reflects that of a seasoned pro. After winning his second La Liga title—matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s total in Spain—he made it clear that his ambition is far from satisfied:

“That’s impossible. We haven’t done anything yet. I’ve seen players like Leo (Messi), who motivate me to be like that—they don’t stop winning, and even today he still wants to win. I don’t think that feeling ever goes away. My mind will always want more, always want something else to achieve. Plus, from a young age at La Masia, you’re taught those values, so I’m always hungry for more.”