Morocco’s Lamine Yamal: FC Barcelona’s New ‘Mini Messi’

Casablanca – The promising Moroccan teenager Lamine Yamal is attracting the attention of FC Barcelona after attending numerous training sessions with the Catalans’ first team, with many hailing the 15-year-old prodigy as the next “mini Messi.”

Yamal was one of the 10 young players that FC Barcelona’s new coach Xavi Hernandez selected to participate in first-team training following their latest victory at Sevilla earlier in September.

After he quickly showed his technical prowess on the ball, the young Moroccan player went directly from Cadet A — Barca’s Under 16 side — to Juvenile A — Barca’s under 19 side managed by Oscar Lopez — despite his age.

Although he is only 15 years old, Yamal was also called up to play in the UEFA Youth League.

According to the Spanish press, Yamal’s dribbling is one of his most outstanding skills.

Being also clinical in front of goals, Yamal has the ability to play on the right, in the midfield, or behind the central striker.

Born in 2007 in Mataro, a town outside of Barcelona in Catalonia, the rising football star is of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean descent.

Yamal has been attracting attention since he was 12 years old.

In 2019, LaLiga’s official Twitter account labeled him “a mini Leo Messi” after posting a video showcasing his exceptional performances during the LaLiga Promises tournament.

Since joining Barcelona’s Juvenil A team, Yamal has played in four of the team’s first five official games, but not always as a starter.

He played in the (3-0) triumph against Viktoria Plzen and the (3-3) gain against Bayern in the second half.

Yamal had his best game against Ebro (5-0) on September 10, scoring two goals and showcasing his ability to shoot with his first touch.

“He is always asking questions and he has a very good predisposition to evolve. You have to treat him calmly and not rush things,” said the Juvenil A coach Oscar Lopez.