Candidacy for the Ballon d'Or, comparisons with Messi... Emmanuel Petit 'gives up' to Lamine Yamal

Is Lamine Yamal the most exciting star in the current international football scene? Everything seems to point in that direction! And no wonder, as the Spanish-Moroccan forward, at just 17 years of age, has established himself as one of the most outstanding 'jewels' in the international sports arena.

The '19' from Barcelona has become a reference in the Spanish national team, where he holds the position of starting right winger and has contributed to the conquest of a Eurocup. Likewise, at FC Barcelona, he has had a stellar start to the 2024/25 season, scoring three goals and providing four assists in five matches, being a clear contender for the 2024 Golden Boy award.

In light of this situation, it's no surprise that various voices are beginning to talk about the promising talent of Lamine Yamal. On this occasion, the one who has commented on the Barça star is a former player of the team and a legend of the French national team, Emmanuel Petit, who in an interview with 'Mundo Deportivo' shared his impressions about this great 'gem' of Barça and 'La Roja'.

Emmanuel Petit's Statements on Lamine Yamal

The French midfielder has not spared praise for the talent of Lamine Yamal and his outstanding performance in the Eurocup, mentioning the lethal duo he formed with Nico Williams in the continental tournament. "I was impressed with Spain during the Eurocup. I was very happy they won; I think Spain totally deserved to win the competition. They played very well as a team with two guys like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams," he remarked.

"I also saw Lamine Yamal against Girona last weekend, and I think he is not far from the Ballon d'Or."

Lamine Yamal and His Ballon d'Or Candidacy

Emmanuel Petit has supported the idea that Lamine Yamal, although a Ballon d'Or candidate this season, is unlikely to win it this year. However, it's not unreasonable to think that he could be a strong candidate for the award next year. "Not this season. I think it will be Vinicius. But for the next season, yes. He won the Eurocup with Spain, was one of the best players in the competition, and since he started last season with Barcelona, he has been steadily improving," he stated.

"His level has improved, as has his personality and temperament on the field. Every time this kid touches the ball, it's incredible. He's the type of player you pay to watch."

Comparisons Between Lamine Yamal and Leo Messi

To conclude, the Dieppe native has expressed that he understands the comparisons made between Lamine Yamal and Leo Messi due to the impact he is having at FC Barcelona. "This kid sometimes reminds me of those who probably don't have the same quality, but the impact he is having at his age so far is amazing. So yes, he reminds me of Messi in this case," he emphasized.

"Because you can't think of Barcelona without Lamine Yamal. And he's probably the youngest player on the team, so it's incredible."