Barcelona’s 17-year-old forward Lamine Yamal delivered a standout performance in the Champions League semifinal first leg against Inter Milan, scoring a crucial goal in a 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
His display drew high praise from former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, who was speaking on CBS Golazo.
“What I saw tonight from Lamine… it’s not normal. We can talk about a lot of players who are supposed to be on the throne.
“Something that’s always amazing in football is that you always think that nobody is going to be better, or can look better than Ronaldo and Messi.
“And in my time, it was like Pelé, Maradona or whoever. We can put Zidane. We can put a lot of people. And then, I mean, Yamal comes along.”
Yamal, born in Mataró, Spain, to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, has been lauded for his exceptional maturity and skill on the field.
His goal against Inter Milan not only showcased his talent but also made him the youngest player to score in a Champions League semifinal at 17 years and 291 days, surpassing the previous record held by Kylian Mbappé.
This match also marked his 100th appearance for Barcelona, a milestone that underscores his rapid rise in professional football.
Throughout the game, Yamal’s influence was evident. He consistently challenged Inter’s defense, creating opportunities and nearly scoring a second goal with a shot that struck the crossbar.
His performance was instrumental in Barcelona’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit, contributing to goals by teammates Ferran Torres and Raphinha. I
nter Milan’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, acknowledged Yamal’s impact, describing him as a “phenomenon born every 50 years.”
