Barcelona star Lamine Yamal dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi comparisons after Champions League display - 'I try to forge my own path'
Updated 01/05/2025 at 11:08 GMT+1
Lamine Yamal has reached incredible heights at his tender age, prompting comparisons to two of the sport's greatest-ever players. The numbers he has reached are already making Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's stats seem remarkably modest in comparison, but Yamal told TNT Sports he is paying little attention to that conversation. Barcelona and Inter resume their battle at San Siro next Tuesday.
‘Following my path’ – Yamal on comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo after thrilling Barca draw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lamine Yamal dismissed comparisons between himself and two of the sport's greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, after his stunning performance in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Internazionale.
The 17-year-old marked his 100th Barcelona appearance with a superb individual goal, producing a stellar display in a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Yamal has scored 22 goals in a century of appearances for the Catalan giants, dwarfing Messi's total of one goal in nine appearances and Ronaldo's tally of five goals in 19 matches at the same age.
When quizzed on the inevitable comparisons, Yamal told TNT Sports: "I try to forge my own path; I try to play the way I know how and not think about anything.
"I think that’s the trick, that’s the secret, to try to do my best and not compare myself with anyone.
"I’m following my path, giving my all, and it’s been working out for me so far, but I still haven’t achieved anything.
"I’ll try to play the same or better in the second leg and hopefully we’ll win."
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Remarkable, special Yamal makes everything look so easy - Hargreaves
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Despite Yamal's incredible performance, the tie remains on a knife-edge after a ruthless Inter side capitalised on a series of Barca defensive lapses to score three goals through Marcus Thuram and a Denzel Dumfries brace.
Reflecting on the match overall, Yamal explained: "I think, overall, we were better, but we made mistakes, and if you make mistakes in games as big as this, that’s what happens.
"At the end of the day, it’s an elite-level game. Inter are a top team and they didn’t let us off the hook.
"We need to correct our mistakes and give our all in the second leg."
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Highlights: Yamal stars as Barca and Inter play out six-goal thriller
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Yamal’s goal came after Simone Inzaghi’s side had taken a surprise 2-0 lead, as the starlet jinked his way into the box before unleashing an incredible left-footed finish off the inside of the post.
When asked if it was easy to score a goal like that, he replied: "No, at that moment, as I always say, we play with heart and always try to stage a comeback, which has been working for us.
"So, I don’t think about the opponent; I think about doing the best I can and that’s why that move came off."
A victory at San Siro next Tuesday would give Hansi Flick’s side the chance to win a sixth European Cup at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.
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When asked if his side can go all the way in the competition, Yamal added: "Yes, I trust my team. I have always trusted them since the start of the season.
"I think we can do it, we have the ability, we’re much better, so we just have to fix our mistakes, give our all for the fans and for the shirt, and I think we can win it."
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