The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner visited the Adidas headquarters in Germany this week with his Inter Miami teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
During the visit, Messi shared the stage with Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden, hosting a Q&A session for those present. ..Continue Reading
Among the various questions he addressed, his response about Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has particularly captured attention.
A fan asked Messi the following question: “Football is changing, there’s a new generation rising. Who is one player from this new generation that you watch and think, ‘This is me when I was younger.'”
Without much hesitation, Messi picked Yamal as someone who has “a huge future ahead of him” after such a good start to his career with Barcelona and Spain.
“The new generation of young players is very good and has many years ahead of them,” Messi said.
“Well, I’ve heard about Lamine Yamal, without a doubt. It depends on him, and also other factors, to stay consistent. But he is already part of the present and, without a doubt, has a huge future ahead of him.”
Yamal has previously named Messi as his idol.
“He is my idol. He always has been, he continues to be now that I play for Barcelona,” the teenager said last year. “He inspired me. I have never had another idol. I once took a photo with him. I was unknown. Maybe one day I will be like him.”
This isn’t the first occasion where Messi has been queried about young football talent. In 2020, he highlighted Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, and Phil Foden among 15 emerging players.
Here are his thoughts on those 15 rising stars.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – “A full-back who is impressive going forward, it is the future.”
Christian Pulisic – “He has great balance and agility.”
Mason Mount – “Having watched him play he has the potential to be one of the best.”
Jadon Sancho – “His ability to dribble past defenders is impressive.”
Luka Jovic – “A magical player who makes the impossible, possible.”
Kai Havertz – “His composure in front of goal is so impressive for such a young player.”
Eder Militao – “A phenomenal talent and fierce competitior.”
Ousmane Dembele – “His pace is frightening in training.”
Phil Foden – “He will do amazing things in the game. He has huge talent.”
Houssem Aouar – “He is always calm with the ball at his feet with an excellent technical quality.”
Frenkie de Jong – “One of the most accomplished passers I have ever seen for his age.”
Joao Felix – “One of the most exciting young players in the world right now.”
Kylian Mbappe – “He is so fast and he can finish. Very dangerous.”
Joshua Kimmich – “A hugely talented full-back who provides so many assists.”
Benjamin Pavard – “A classy defender who can strike a ball so well.”
