Why Lamine Yamal Might Never Reach Messi and Ronaldo’s Legendary Level
Louis Saha, who played as a forward for prominent clubs like Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham, has expressed concern that Lamine Yamal may not reach the heights of Lionel Messi.
Saha believes Yamal lacks the same level of dedication and singular focus on the game that Cristiano Ronaldo possesses.
The Barcelona prodigy has faced scrutiny recently, and Saha is the latest voice suggesting his immense talent could be squandered.
Yamal struggled noticeably against Marc Cucurella in their recent match, where the left-back dominated their head-to-head battle, fulfilling his earlier promise to challenge the young winger.
Despite his consistent contributions in terms of scoring and setting up goals, Yamal’s impact on matches has noticeably decreased this season.
This decline is likely due to his pubalgia diagnosis, which has hindered the potential Ballon d’Or contender from finding his stride.
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Furthermore, in recent months, his off-field behavior has drawn more negative attention than positive. He faced significant criticism for his extravagant 18th birthday celebration in July.
He also caused controversy by accusing long-time rivals Real Madrid of being dishonest and complaining.
Yamal Faces Warnings About Squandering His Potential
Louis Saha, a legend in the Premier League, shared his concerns with OLBG about Lamine Yamal, suggesting that the young player’s potential might be squandered due to the increasing media attention surrounding him.
Saha believes that only exceptionally wealthy clubs like Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City would be capable of spending £300 million on Yamal.
He emphasized that, considering his current development path, it would be a shame to see him transfer to a different team so soon.
According to Saha, for the benefit of the sport, it’s preferable for Yamal to continue his growth and success at Barcelona, establishing himself there.
He fears that the excessive media hype could ultimately hinder the player’s progress and lead to his talent being underutilized.
“It’s a real shame, because this young player has incredible potential for the next decade and a half, and I’d love to see him reach his full capabilities.
That’s why I believe it’s important to shield him from certain pressures. Constant transfers and upheaval can be detrimental.
Think of Neymar, for example. It seems he departed Barcelona chasing individual recognition and the spotlight of being the undisputed star at PSG.
Ultimately, Neymar’s situation is a disappointment. At Barcelona, he could have thrived and demonstrated a harmonious partnership with Messi, proving they could complement each other effectively.
Sometimes, managing those kinds of dynamics within a team can be challenging, especially when egos come into play. You can get caught up in situations that ultimately aren’t beneficial to your development as a player.”
Lamine Yamal’s incredibly rapid ascent to footballing fame, especially considering he’s just 18, has led many to draw parallels with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.
Recently, Wesley Sneijder even suggested that Yamal could potentially surpass Messi’s achievements. But Louis Saha isn’t convinced.
He believes Yamal is more likely to emulate a player like Neymar, rather than reaching the levels of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Will Lamine Yamal eventually outshine Lionel Messi? It would be great, but I don’t believe it’s probable,” the former Manchester United attacker stated.
“I have reservations about him achieving that, because while I acknowledge Yamal’s talent, I don’t perceive the same unwavering dedication and single-minded focus on football that Cristiano Ronaldo possesses.”
“The level of focus these people have on Yamal is truly extreme, almost to the point of being unhealthy. The fact that he’s already facing diversions and interruptions surrounding him is a worrisome sign.
My concern is that he’ll be pulled away from his primary focus, the game itself, similar to what happened with Neymar, a player who, in my opinion, possessed perhaps even greater natural talent.
Throughout my time observing football, I haven’t witnessed anyone quite like Neymar in terms of pure ability.
While Yamal is undoubtedly exceptional, I believe Neymar’s inherent skill was on a different plane.
However, Neymar didn’t always make the best choices in terms of his lifestyle, leading to injuries and involvement in situations that ultimately hampered his progress.
This is precisely why I have a strong sense of apprehension that Yamal might be tempted to follow a similar path. It would be a genuine loss for the sport if he were to go down that road.”
Despite potential doubters and critics attempting to downplay his potential, the young player Yamal maintains a strong drive and unwavering ambition.
This promising talent, emerging from the Barcelona academy, has set lofty goals for himself, aiming for the prestigious treble of the Champions League title, a World Cup victory, and the coveted Ballon d’Or award.
“I aspire to achieve everything. I’m optimistic about realizing these goals, and believe they are attainable as long as I continue to play,” he told Marca.
“Individual accolades often reflect a successful team performance, bringing me joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Receiving recognition at this stage of my career is a significant boost. I am committed to sustained effort and perseverance to achieve further successes like these.”
