FC Barcelona may have found their next Lionel Messi, and no, we are NOT talking about Ansu Fati. After Messi departed from the club in 2021, Ansu Fati has been considered to be Messi‘s replacement. Fati has also been handed Messi’s legendary number 10 shirt. However, FC Barcelona has found yet another gem in their ranks, and it’s none other than the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.
FC Barcelona recently defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the annual season-opener Joan Gamper Trophy. Despite their 4-2 victory, the Spanish club was trailing 2-1 for a long time in the match. While Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Abde Ezzalzouli were the goal scorers for FC Barcelona, it was the introduction of Lamine Yamal in the 80th minute of the game that changed Barca’s fortunes.
16-year-old Lamine Yamal after subbing on in the 80th minute:
-Assisted game-tying goal
-Beautiful turn and pass to assist to make it 3-2
-Pass to assist to make it 4-2Barca have found another young gem 💎 pic.twitter.com/fT9pcpRNvC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 8, 2023
Lamine Yamal, the young La Masia graduate, came on the pitch and immediately changed the game. The youngster displayed his incredible skills, tricks, and composure, and even grabbed an assist for Torres’ equalizer. Heralded to be the best Gamper Trophy performance since Messi against Juventus in 2005, Yamal has already started the Messi comparisons.
Although soccer fans, especially FC Barcelona supporters, are taking the comparisons with a pinch of salt. The comparisons have already gone viral on social media platforms, with fans putting in their opinions. One fan has even said, “Don’t make him another Ansu Fati case.”
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Protect this Child, Don’t try to imitate him in comparison to messi, he built differently and will perform at his best if we prepare for the proper environment and care.
Don’t make him another ansu fati case.
— Ranadeep Mallick (@RanadeepMallick) August 8, 2023
Stop with the Messi comparisons they’re annoying. Everyone is different each player is unique in their own way.
— Jeffrey Torres (@jeff_torres31) August 9, 2023
Lets not get ahead of ourselves again like we did with fati…let the boys develop
— KATOCHIRIMOTOFU (@KvngfuT) August 9, 2023
Nah they are doing this again. He was on the pitch for just 10 minute.He was brilliant yes but still let’s chill god
— ali.05 (@tooset12) August 9, 2023
This boy will be the biggest star in football. He won’t be the next Messi. He will make a name for himself!
— Smiler (@TheSmil96158646) August 8, 2023
Despite Yamal’s brilliant performance, Barca fans are worried about how the constant comparisons might harm the young soccer star. Moreover, after seeing what happened to Fati, both the fans and the club administration would want to tread more carefully with Lamine Yamal.
What happened to Ansu Fati?
Ansu Fati became FC Barcelona’s latest sensation when he made his debut for the first team back in 2019 at the age of 16. Fati made his first team debut against Real Betis on August 25, 2019, to become the second-youngest Barca debutant. The Spanish forward scored his first senior goal six days later to become the club’s youngest-ever scorer and the third-youngest player to ever score in a La Liga match.
With such impressive records and performances to his name, Fati experienced a meteoric rise. The 20-year-old put in consistent good performances, and even became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history. However, Fati’s career hit an unexpected roadblock when he suffered a knee injury in the 2020-21 season, which kept him out of the team for more than 9 months.
After Lionel Messi departed from the club in 2021, Ansu Fati was handed the prestigious number 10 shirt. Once worn by players like Messi, and Ronaldinho, Fati has struggled to deal with the immense pressure that comes with the shirt. Since becoming the club’s new number 10, Fati has failed to perform consistently. Moreover, Fati’s knee injury has also taken a toll on his performance.
🚨 BREAKING: Luis Enrique wants Ansu Fati and PSG are preparing an offer for him. @acaradeperro, @fansjavimiguel 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/st8zNLqumC
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 6, 2023
Fati’s dismal performances had even attracted rumors about his departure from the club. However, Fati along with his father, have remained firm in their stance to continue at Barca. Although Fati has also recently come under PSG’s radar, his stance reportedly remains the same. However, FC Barcelona might reap the benefits of having Fati on their side this season, considering his impressive pre-season performances.
