Lamine Yamal has become FC Barcelona's great promise. Since his emergence at 16 last season, the skillful winger hasn't stopped growing by leaps and bounds. He's currently the team's leader as a teenage. What's more, last night in the Champions League against Dortmund, he once again left his mark with extraordinary details.
At Barça, they know they have a treasure in their hands and don't want to slow down his progression. In fact, Lamine Yamal is one of the few who doesn't have a clear replacement. After the latest decisions by the Barça board, it seems everything will stay the same. That's because Laporta has let slip a generational talent destined to leave a mark in European soccer.
Laporta Dismisses the New Lamine Yamal: Big Mistake
The president of Barça, Laporta, is back in the eye of the storm after his decision to dismiss the transfer of the new Lamine Yamal. This young Brazilian talent is shining in his country and, at just 17, leads Palmeiras every weekend. In fact, his numbers this season (13 goals and 9 assists) have helped him break a record set by Neymar.
We're talking about Estêvão Willian, the new sensation from Brazil, who could've joined Barça last summer. Laporta received very positive reports about his progression and the expectations he was generating before he broke out, but he rejected his transfer. He did so because Estêvão and Lamine Yamal share the same position on the field, and only one can play.
Despite this, Laporta surely already regrets his decision. At just 17, Estêvão Willian has received the award for best player of the season in Brazil and the "breakthrough player" award. Two accolades that demonstrate his potential and justify Chelsea's decision to sign him for 35 million.
Estêvão Willian: Better Than Lamine Yamal
As of today, experts say Estêvão Willian has nothing to envy about Lamine Yamal. Both share physical and technical characteristics, but the Brazilian is even more decisive than the Spanish international. Without a doubt, seeing the two together at Camp Nou would've been a dream, but Laporta decided to cancel his transfer.
For Barça, this loss symbolizes a challenge in its ability to compete in the international market. Moreover, the fact that he's already signed with Chelsea is even more concerning. Estêvão Willian could face Barça in the Champions League if both teams meet next season.
Lamine Yamal's rise has been a source of pride for Barça. His impact on the first team proves the importance of betting on early talents. However, letting Estêvão Willian slip away to prevent him from continuing to progress could be a huge mistake and Laporta knows it.