Lamine Yamal is not just another young player who stands out in soccer. At only 17 years old, he already shines at Barça, is a starter with Spain, and breaks records like a veteran. His success is not by chance; it's a phenomenon.
Julio Maldonado, better known as Maldini, has made it clear on his YouTube channel: Lamine's case is unique. Due to his gameplay, maturity, and the immediate impact he has had on a team like Barça, which is not exactly at its best moment. Yamal has not only arrived, he has arrived commanding.
Inevitable Comparisons
When a 17-year-old dazzles at this level, comparisons arise. It's almost automatic. Of course, the names that come up are giants: Messi, Cristiano, Maradona…
But Maldini is clear: "At his age, none of them were doing what Lamine does." Not even the Messi of 2005, who was just emerging in the first team. Nor Cristiano, who was still seeking consistency at United, nor Maradona, who excelled in Argentina but without much international exposure.
It's not about saying he is already better than them. But it is about highlighting that, at 17, Lamine Yamal has already done things that other stars took years to achieve.
The Comparison That Surprised
Maldini goes a step further and mentions a name that few would dare to bring up: Pelé. And he does so with arguments.
"Pelé won a World Cup at 17. Yamal has already been important in a European Championship. If there's someone he can be compared to at that age, it's him," the journalist explains.
The comparison is not to put pressure. Nor to say that Lamine will be the new Pelé. It's to put things in context, to understand the real dimension of what's happening.
Because, honestly, how many footballers have excelled like this at the elite level at 17? Very few. Almost none.
The Challenge of Staying
The talent is evident, the impact as well. But the history of soccer teaches us something: standing out early doesn't guarantee a great career. The real challenge begins now.
Maldini warns: "We don't know what will happen when he's 35. We have to wait." He says it calmly, with respect, with experience.
Because Lamine's path will be full of obstacles. Injuries, pressure, environment, sports decisions… Everything influences. And the current Barça, with its economic problems, is not the most stable context for growth.
Even so, if this boy has shown anything, it's that he is not afraid. That he plays as if he has 200 matches in the First Division. That he dares, that he invents, that he shines.