Overview
- Lamine Yamal received the Laureus Young Sportsman of the Year award, telling voters he hopes to follow Lionel Messi’s path after thanking the Academy of legends, his family and Barcelona staff.
- Barcelona exited the Champions League against Atlético Madrid on aggregate despite winning the second leg, with Yamal widely credited for igniting a near three-goal fightback.
- Neymar hailed Yamal as one of the greatest teenage talents and said he hopes the winger claims the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or next year, while Sergio Agüero called him as good as the very best and highlighted Messi-like traits.
- Dutch great Ruud Gullit warned that Barcelona’s reliance on the teenager risks injury, noting his 44 appearances, earlier pubalgia and a looming World Cup with Spain.
- Analysis pieces urge president Joan Laporta to equip Hansi Flick with a stronger supporting cast built around Yamal, given tight finances and the limits of relying solely on academy depth.