Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and Inter Milan counterpart Simone Inzaghi have hailed Lamine Yamal following the winger’s performance in Wednesday’s Champions League clash between the sides.
Yamal was the star of the show as Barcelona twice came from behind in a thrilling 3-3 draw between the sides in their semi-final first leg.
The 17-year-old scored a stunning goal to bring Barcelona back into the game and twice hit the woodwork. On his 100th appearance for Barcelona, he tormented Inter full-back Federico Dimarco, who was mercifully substituted just minutes after half-time.
Cristiano Ronaldo at 17 years old: 19 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists.
Lionel Messi at 17 years old: 9 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists.
Lamine Yamal at 17 years old: 100 appearances, 22 goals, 33 assists. pic.twitter.com/1NOaeZTdZ7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2025
Incredibly, Yamal has now provided 55 goals and assists in 100 games for Barcelona, despite not turning 18 until the summer. The teenager has moved into contention for the Ballon d’Or and would, comfortably, become the youngest-ever winner if he takes the accolade in 2025.
Speaking at full-time, Barcelona boss Flick called the Spaniard a ‘genius’.
“Lamine has always done that. In the big games, he’s there. Let me say, he’s a genius.
“Lamine is always showing how good he is. I think he enjoys these moments too.”
Inzaghi was also full of praise for Yamal after watching the winger shine against his Inter side. He said he has not seen a player like Yamal for almost decade and said the Italians had to alter their game-plan to stop him.
“I haven’t seen a player like Lamine Yamal in the last eight or nine years,” Inzaghi said.
“We had to put three players on him!”.
Read – Champions League Awards: Yamal the star in six-goal thriller
See more – Will Yamal break the record? The youngest Ballon d’Or winners in history
Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
