It has now been over three years since Lionel Messi last wore the Barcelona jersey. The Argentine represented the club for over a decade, and left in the most disheartening way possible after agreeing to a new contract.
Barcelona have been facing a ton of problems since then, including the same financial mess that kept Leo from continuing at his boyhood club.
However, over the course of the last season, one thing has become clear once again – La Masia is the saving grace of the club even when they seem completely down and out.
Even though Barcelona went trophyless through the 2023/24 campaign, the introduction of Fermin Lopez, Hector Fort, Marc Guiu, Pau Cubarsi, and especially Lamine Yamal should fill the fans with a lot of confidence.
Yamal, especially, has taken the world by storm and is already among the best in his position at the age of 16.
And it seems he has the backing of none other than the GOAT himself.
“Yamal makes it seem easy”
According to a report by SPORT, someone very close to Messi received a WhatsApp message from him speaking about Lamine Yamal.
“Lamine Yamal makes it seem so easy,” the message read.
Yamal has been compared to Leo through the season, and for obvious reasons – left-footed right winger teenage wonderkid coming through La Masia who excels at dribbling.
He has also already become the focal point of the team’s attack, and has taken over the right-wing spot from Raphinha as a starter.
In 37 appearances in the league this season, Yamal scored five goals and gave five assists while creating a whopping 13 big chances.
While those numbers seem very impressive – and they are -, a 16-year-old should not be making 50 appearances across all competitions for the first-team in his first professional season of football, especially when it will be followed up by the European Championship in the summer.
Barcelona, having gone through a similar situation with Pedri and Gavi, should do better, as well.
