Key Takeaways:
- Lamine Yamal, aged just 17, has started 24 of Barça’s 29 La Liga fixtures in 2024/25
- His haul of 11 assists leads La Liga, alongside six league goals
- Real Madrid legend Guti believes Yamal is ahead of where Messi was at a similar age
Teen Sensation Lighting Up La Liga
Barcelona’s prodigious talent Lamine Yamal is rapidly establishing himself as a crucial figure in Hansi Flick’s tactical setup, as the Catalan giants aim for a title treble in the 2024/25 campaign. Despite being in only his second full season with the senior squad, Yamal’s influence continues to expand, underlined by his consistent presence in Barça’s La Liga starting XI.
The 17-year-old has featured in 24 of the club’s 29 league games, completing the full 90 minutes in all but one of those appearances. His combination of work rate, vision, and technical flair belies his age — and stats confirm his growing dominance. Yamal currently tops La Liga’s assist chart with 11, alongside six crucial goals from wide positions.
🗣️Guti on Lamine Yamal's Barcelona form [@mundodeportivo]
"He's light years ahead of what I did in Madrid. He's a player who can decide a game in one pass. I didn't see Messi do that at this age. He's a star in La Liga, but still a youth player. He's Barcelona's benchmark." pic.twitter.com/keqLbD0FMn
— Football España (@footballespana_) April 4, 2025
Breaking Records and Raising Expectations
With Yamal set to turn 18 in July, the level of maturity and consistent performance he delivers week in, week out is already drawing comparisons with former Barcelona greats. While Lionel Messi’s legacy in Catalonia is unchallenged — and some fans still dream of his return before retirement — there’s a growing belief that Yamal has the potential to follow, or even rival, that legendary path.
The Blaugrana, however, remain cautious about burdening the young winger with such weighty expectations. They are carefully managing his development both physically and mentally to ensure sustainable growth in the years ahead.
Guti’s Bold Verdict: Yamal Ahead of Messi at 17
In a recent interview Guti stated: “He’s light years ahead of what I did. Is he best? What does it mean to be the best? Being the best means being the best every single match, and he’s not the best every single match,” Guti stated, before linking Yamal’s influence to that of global stars. “It happens to him just like Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Junior. He has a tremendous talent, and we often talk about how he doesn’t score, but with the passes he makes, he decides the game.”
“He’s a player who can decide the game with one pass. I didn’t see Messi do that at this age. He’s a star in La Liga, but still a youth player. He’s currently Barcelona’s benchmark.”
| Yamal in Numbers: 2024/25 La Liga Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 24 (out of 29) |
| Minutes Played | 90+ mins in 23 matches |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 11 (La Liga leader) |
What Lies Ahead
As marathon runners begin to feel fatigue and clubs prepare for the business end of the season, Flick will undoubtedly look to Yamal for further inspiration. His knack for unlocking defences and his relentless creativity have already made him Barcelona’s go-to man in tight contests.
If the teenager can maintain form and fitness, Barcelona fans — and football data analysts — may well witness the emergence of a generational talent whose trajectory could ultimately challenge even Messi’s once-untouchable standard.