Ten years ago, Barcelona reached the Champions League final for the last time, with Lionel Messi being their torchbearer.

Now, when the Catalan Giants hosted Inter Milan in Wednesday's first-leg clash in the semifinals, the Catalan Giants rely on another generation of talent from Lamine Yamal as their "X-factor".

advertise

On his big ball, Messi scored two excellent goals on his way to Bayern Munich in the 2015 semifinals, while 17-year-old Yamal still honing his finish line, he mastered the key to the team's potential success this season.

The teenager, left foot but running on the right, had years of free roaming like Messi, which gave Hansi Flick's brilliant Barca an edge.

Yamal made it clear that he achieved two goals in three Barcelona goals in the exciting Krasico Cup in Sevilla on Saturday.

He showed off 14 goals and 24 assists throughout the season, as well as the back of the title-winning show last summer with the Spanish champions, countless but crucial inventions, genius and Flair’s flashes.

advertise

Flick's offense, Barca, captured the imagination, and one of them was mostly due to Yamal.

In the city center of Barcelona, ​​it is rare to see more than a few minutes without seeing anyone wearing a replica Yamal shirt.

During game time, a pile of No. 19 shirts raised rolling stairs and escalators up the sea, heading towards the Olympic Stadium on Montjuic Hill in the city.

Once Messi No. 10, there is a range of Barcelona shirts from different years, or sky blue and white stripes from Argentina.

Given that he's so fast as to rise to the star, it's his first season to wear the 19th, so the shirt is the same.

advertise

- "We've seen the genius" -

If Barcelona wins the Champions League, Yamal will be a potential champion.

The feat is hard to imagine so quickly when current Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez faces La Liga's Real Betis in April 2023.

Yamal looked a little intimidating, and it was right for granted, as thousands of people stood around Nou's camp and analyzed his every step.

Perhaps this was the only time, because since then, he showed no hint of fearlessness.

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo said last week: "How incredible my mentality about[young players]."

advertise

"They are so calm... I'm very surprised by these kids from Lamacia."

Yamal's mother was more worried than the young man himself.

"My mom was scared of me when I started, but she supported me a lot," he said, still finding his position at the club.

Those initial nerves disappeared so quickly that despite their gentle age, Yamal began to shoulder the creativity of the team, with only 16.

Yamal is still waiting for his high school exam results, but cemented his star status with Spain on the European euro in Germany, at the age of 17 the day before the final.

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente poured into Spanish coach Luis de La Fuente after Yamal's excellent goal against France in the semi-finals.

advertise

Now, he is crucial to Barcelona.

Although Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha have the goal of the lion, many of them would not be possible without Yamal's investment.

Either directly from his dangerous spin cross or because he drips the ball sharply to get three opponents in the accumulation.

"Lamine Yamal...he's like Messi. Did he surprise me? No. Everyone knows how good he is, he can dribble anybody," former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said earlier this season.

Yamal, who was bathed in 2007 as a baby as a charity calendar by then-20-year-old Messi, has been on guard against similarities, which seems inevitable.

advertise

"Messi is the best player in history, comparing it with him means I'm doing the right thing, but I'm trying to be myself," he said in February.

If Yamal can bring Barcelona back to the Champions League final, those comparisons will only grow.

RBS/NR