Lamine Yamal Wants to Follow in Messi's Footsteps and Assumes Future in the Center of the Field


Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has predicted he will eventually transition into a central role, following in the tactical footsteps of club icon Lionel Messi. The 18-year-old is killing it on the wings, but believes that moving to the middle is inevitable to escape the constant triple marking he faces. Yamal has been the talk of the football world following his meteoric rise, with many drawing parallels between his current trajectory and that of the greatest player to ever wear the Barça shirt. Like Messi, who went from a fearsome winger to a central playmaker, Yamal hopes his future lies away from the touchline. In an interview with El Mundo, the teenager explained the logic behind his tactical prediction. "I think Leo was also marked by three players. And the only place where three players can't score is in the middle. There are a lot of players there. Over time, I'll end up there, because it's very easy to defend with three on the wings, but they can't mark me in the middle." The Euro 2024 star is currently a constant figure on the right flank, using his speed and skill to unsettle deep blocks. However, he admitted that he sees himself as a more decisive player when playing between the defensive lines. has already shown signs of this versatility, being used more centrally on some occasions. "I can face defenders one on one in the middle. I'm a more decisive player if I play in the middle than if I play wide," said Yamal. "Obviously, now I think it's better for the team if I'm open. But there will come a time when I'll be more decisive in the middle. And I'll end up there." Opponents quickly realized that leaving the youngster in a one-on-one situation is a recipe for disaster. Yamal revealed that he is now used to being surrounded by several defenders at the same time, but he remains calm when thinking about how to get around these tactical traps by involving his teammates more. "At least three [markers]. If I'm lucky, two. But one on one, never, never, never," he said when asked about the attention he receives. "Then I start thinking about plays: I talk to the fullback and tell him, 'If I give you the ball, do this.' The coach tells me, 'If you have three, there are three free teammates.' So it's about throwing the ball back, obviously, but dribbling is totally about improvising. You don't plan it. It's impossible." With Spain preparing for their 2026 World Cup clash against Saudi Arabia, expectations surrounding the youngster have reached a high level. Rival managers are paying attention, with Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis suggesting the 18-year-old has started to replace Messi at Barcelona in the best possible way due to his incredible maturity on the pitch. Despite the comparisons, Yamal remains grounded in terms of his longevity. When asked if he could imagine emulating Messi's incredible career by playing at age 40, his response was quick and emphatic: "Impossible. Impossible. Impossible." For now, fans can simply bask in the shine of a player who looks set to define the next era of Barcelona football.