Former France midfielder Emmanuel Petit praised Lamine Yamal but also gave a warning about his future. Petit compared the young winger to Lionel Messi because of his skill and creativity. He said Yamal creates danger whenever he touches the ball. Opponents often use two or three defenders against him, but it still does not work. This makes Barcelona very difficult to stop.
“He reminds me of Lionel Messi on the right wing,” Petit said about Yamal. “Every time he touches the ball, you can see he’s creating danger. He usually draws two or even three opponents into his area, which opens up space for his teammates. That’s why Barça is so dangerous. With Raphinha and a great midfield, the threat can come from anywhere. I’ve seen many teams try to defend by putting 2 or 3 players against Yamal, and it doesn’t work.”
Petit said Yamal is a “phenomenon” and could win the Ballon d’Or if he keeps improving. He added that the teenager must also prove himself with Spain. The 2026 World Cup is an important goal for him.
“At his age, he’s a phenomenon,” Petit said, talking about Yamal’s potential. “If he maintains this level, he’ll win the Ballon d’Or. And he knows he has to repeat that, both at Barça and with the Spanish national team. The World Cup is coming up at the end of the season, another big goal for him. But to truly establish himself, he needs to win the Champions League. His qualities—technique, vision, power, intelligence in his movements—are unique. The only thing he needs to improve is his mentality.”
Petit also warned about the risks that come with early success. For Lamine Yamal, he said everything is good now, but difficult times will come. At that point, Yamal must stay strong mentally. Petit compared this to Kylian Mbappe, who struggled after years of constant success. He said Yamal must also be careful about social media and communication.
“Right now, everything is going well for him,” Petit said about Yamal’s early fame. “But if something negative happens, there will be plenty waiting to bring him down. We’ll see how he reacts. It’s similar to Kylian Mbappé: For years, everything was green. Then suddenly, everything collapsed and he wasn’t the same on the pitch. Yamal needs to be careful with his communication and social media management. Sometimes, he comes across as arrogant.”
Also read: Lamine Yamal backed by Hansi Flick after crown celebration in 10 Jersey
Lamine Yamal’s impressive Football stats and Petit’s suggestion
Lamine Yamal is only 18 but has already won major trophies. With FC Barcelona, he won La Liga twice and the Copa del Rey once. He also won the Spanish Super Cup in 2025. With Spain, he lifted the European Championship in 2024 and reached the Nations League final in 2025. He has also received awards like the Kopa Trophy and Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament.
His statistics show steady growth. In La Liga, he has played 75 matches, scoring 15 goals and making 24 assists. In the Champions League, he has 5 goals and 6 assists in 23 games. For Spain, he scored at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League. He is also the youngest player to debut and score for both Barcelona and Spain.
Petit ended by saying Yamal has the talent to be one of the best. But he must remain focused and improve his mentality.
“In the past, great footballers tended to be quite shy,” Petit said, hinting at Yamal’s off field distractions. “Some were arrogant, yes, but they backed it up with their play. The problem arises when the results aren’t there. He’s still very young, and his brilliance is due in part to pure talent; maturity will come. The player who’s on the pitch should help him grow off it as well,”
Lamine Yamal’s future depends not only on his skill but also on his maturity.
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Hansi Flick calls Lamine Yamal a true genius
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Lamine Yamal after receiving the Bild Coach of the Year award. Flick was asked about the young winger’s progress and gave strong comments. He spoke about Yamal’s age and the need to keep learning. Flick then made a clear prediction about Yamal’s future.
“Lamine is a true genius,” Flick said. “Especially at his age, 18, he decides games single-handedly. He’s on the right track. He’s also very intelligent. But of course, he’s still very young at 18 and has to learn from others. We support him. I’m convinced he’ll be one of the best players the world of football has ever seen.”
Flick said Yamal is very intelligent on the pitch but must continue learning from older players. He stressed that Barcelona will support him during this process. The coach also warned that maturity is important for Yamal’s growth. And it’s true that guidance from teammates will help him handle future challenges. His message could be summed up in one line: “Talent is not enough without constant development.”
Flick’s comments give Barcelona fans confidence about Yamal’s future. Calling him a genius sets high expectations, but Flick balanced it with reminders about maturity. For now, Yamal is on the right track with both club and country. If he continues developing, Flick’s prediction may prove accurate.
Also read: Marcus Rashford makes strong case for Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or
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